I MEN have hoped for the star, Men have groped in the slough, But leaving a fading thought or a painless scar The moods come, the moods go. Distrust, fear, content, Thought-vistas drear, sublime: Some sort of calm, these being not permanent, Comes through with time. Does it take so long to learn -- However strong the dread in you, Or however lovely the things of your concern, That peace though tempests of error may break and burn At last sails quietly through? II I never thought that I would be Old as I am to-day Nor that the winsome past would seem So very far away. I never thought the urgent years Of plans and painful care Would spread their vague and barren length To show so little fair. When your so generous eyes survey Sweet impulses defied, Good friends, forgive my arrogance Forget my early pride. Thankful am I that faith at last Grown gentle and benign Made hope of vast accomplishment So easy to resign. And I renounce old discontent For this new comforting: That from my patient destiny I've learned one little thing. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...POOR DEVIL! by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET UNTITLED, 1968; FOR MARK ROTHKO by JAMES GALVIN EVENTIDE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON RETROSPECT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE GARDEN OF ADONIS by EMMA LAZARUS |