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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN HOSPITAL: 27. NOCTURN, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: At the barren heart of midnight
Last Line: In the drip-drop of the cistern.
Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E.
Subject(s): Hospitals
First Line: At the barren heart of midnight
Last Line: In the drip-drop of the cistern.
Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E.
Subject(s): Hospitals
At the barren heart of midnight,
When the shadow shuts and opens
As the loud flames pulse and flutter,
I can hear a cistern leaking.
Dripping, dropping, in a rhythm,
Rough, unequal, half-melodious,
Like the measures aped from nature
In the infancy of music;
Like the buzzing of an insect,
Still, irrational, persistent . . .
I must listen, listen, listen
In a passion of attention;
Till it taps upon my heartstrings,
And my very life goes adripping,
Dropping, dripping, drip-drip-dropping,
In the drip-drop of the cistern.
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