Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


OLD ENDING by MARY ATWATER TAYLOR

First Line: SO THAT'S OUR PARTING, AND OUR SHINING PAIN
Last Line: BUT I AM WEARY WITH REMEMBERING!
Subject(s): FINALITY;

So that's our parting, and our shining pain;
And yet the dim wood arches as before,
And the wind stirs our brown pine-needled floor,
And you go stainless, -- you who are all stain.
You still are beautiful and fierce and vain,
And your strange shackles leave my wrists still sore,
And yet I wait your knock upon the door
Even while I know it cannot come again.
I have the memory of your thirsty voice,
And the long touch of your tempestuous hands,
Stilled by the chasm of your final choice
And your departure to remotest lands . . .
You were the wiser, chose the safer thing . . .
But I am weary with remembering!



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