On the white throat of useless passion
That scorched my soul with its burning breath
I clutched my hands in murderous fashion,
And held them close in a grip of death;
For why should I fan, or feed with fuel,
A love that showed me but blank despair ?
So my hold was firm, and my grasp was cruel—-
I meant to strangle it then and there!
I thought it was dead. But with no warning,
It rose from its grave last night, and came
And stood by my bed til the early morning
And over and over it spoke your name.
Its throat was red where my hands had held it;
It burned my brow with its scorching breath;
And I knew the moment my eyes beheld it,
"A love like this can know no death."
For just one kiss that your lips have given
In the lost and beautiful past to me,
I would gladly barter my hopes of Heaven
And all the bliss of Eternity.
For never a joy are the angels keeping,
To lay at my feet in Paradise,
Like that into your strong arms creeping,
And looking into your love-lit eyes.
I know, in the way that sins are reckoned,
This thought is a sin of the deepest dye ;
But I know too if an angel beckoned,
Standing close by the Throne on High,
And you, adown by the gates infernal,
Should open your loving arms and smile,
I would turn my back on things supernal,
To lay on your breast a little while.
To know for an hour you where mine completely——-
Mine in body and soul, my own——
I would bear unending tortures sweetly,
With not a murmur and not a moan.
A lighter sin or lesser error
Might change through hope or fear divine;
But there is no fear, and hell has no terror,
To change or alter a love like mine.
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This poem is beautiful!
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From guest jessie (contact)
I have the whole poem memorized. It is the most sincerely beautiful work of art ever! -
I love this poem. It has been my favorite poem for quite a long time.
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Bless your heart Miss Ella!
John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
I had this poem posted on my home page. I didn't know that this poem was even on this site. I am glad that I found it. I, also have that book "Best Loved Poems of the American People". A few pages are ripped out of mine, and there were a few really good poems that I don't have anymore. One of them starts off "A hundred years from now dear heart". I don't know who wrote it. I think the page # is in the twenties, but I am not sure about that. If you know who the poet is, and the name of the poem, I would be so grateful if you could message me back. Ella Wheeler Wilcox is definitely one of my favorite poets of all time, and has been since I first read that book when I was 12 years old. I would appreciate it immensely for that information. Thanks.
becca
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Lots of feeling here and I like the rhythm. It sounds like you really mean what you say.
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beautiful. i loved it, never heard of it before, but i loved it.
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I love this poem... I have never read it before but it is very beautiful
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Loves lost, loves scorned, burn deep into our beings. Love is both agony and ecstasy in one. It makes our moments in life worthwhile or and plunges us into despair. Oh, how fickle love can be. But what would we do if it were not there?
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This is an enchanting lovely piece. I really enjoyed the last stanza as well. Specifically the last line.. ;f
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WOW! IO absolutely love this poem because it explains feelings that I feel for someone and it is eerily close to what happened with my last relationship! This was beautiful
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Wow, this is beautiful. Kind of long, but capable of keeping the reader's attention. Unlike Jackie, I've never heard this poem before. But it mirrors everything I feel right now. I'm also glad that it has been posted, now that I've read it.
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This has been one of my Favorite poems since the age of 16 and my Mom gifted me with THE BEST LOVED POEMS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.I am glad to see that it got posted. Jacki D
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oh my gosh... this is so beautiful... I love the last stanza...
Trin
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