LONG time a child, and still a child, when years
Had painted manhood on my cheek, was I, —
For yet I lived like one not born to die;
A thriftless prodigal of smiles and tears,
No hope I needed, and I knew no fears.
But sleep, though sweet, is only sleep, and waking,
I waked to sleep no more, at once o'ertaking
The vanguard of my age, with all arrears
Of duty on my back. Nor child, nor man,
Nor youth, nor sage, I find my head is gray,
For I have lost the race I never ran:
A rathe December blights my lagging May;
And still I am a child, though I be old,
Time is by debtor for by years untold.
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Comments
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Never forget the child
From guest lejunna (contact)
There is a child within us all, and as our bodies get older the child will always remain. Through laughter's and tears, through hopes and our fears, just look in the mirror the child is near. -
This is a wonderful poem! I like the turns: "Long time a child, and still a child," "But sleep, though sweet, is only sleep,and waking/
I waked to sleep no more," it takes immense skill and force of emotion to repeat words giving them and the phrase a haunting stronger meaning this way. The word usage is particularly beautiful:"Had painted manhood on my cheek" "The vanguard of my age," "A rathe December blights my lagging May"; the use of nor is beautiful "Nor, child, nor man,/nor youth, nor sage..." And of course that wonderful line "A thriftless prodigal of smiles and tears,". -
Sad
ahh, if only the child without matched the child within...How sad, before one knows it years catch up with us way to quickly.
But the child within lives on and smiles forever! -
I really like this poem of yours !
From guest Brenda (contact)
I really appreciate that you are doing this class and even though , I am not a computer wiz I really like it alot. You did a wonderful job on this poem that you have written here. LoveSpell-PurpleRose
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