I never knew how much the love you gave me, I never knew the pain you bore to save me, I never knew, I never knew; Nor did I see the anguish and the sorrow, The stifled fears that dreaded each to-morrow, Nor did I note how far the tide had brought me Until the eddy's swirl enticed and caught me, I did not see,—the mists had so enwrapped me, And but for you remorseful rocks had trapped me, The lights of Love your heart's true beacon showing Redeemed and saved despite my weak, unknowing, "I never knew,—I never knew." I never knew what fools men are at morning, Their rising sun but blinds them in its borning; I never knew, I never knew; Yet graying tones of Time my skies are blending, Through misted eyes I see your love transcending, I see from heights, new found, my land of glory, And couriers bring me Wisdom's grapes, and story Of greening woods, of lakes and towering mountains, Of poets' rests beside Hope's gushing fountains, And as I see, I fear not dark around me Nor dare to say since in the fog you found me, "I never knew,—I never knew." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PLANTATION BACCHANAL by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ITALIAN PICTURES: COSTA MAGIC by MINA LOY JOHN WILKES BOOTH AT THE FARM (JANUARY 12, 1848) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS NOTHING WILL CURE THE SICK LION BUT TO EAT AN APE' by MARIANNE MOORE |