Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DAWN, by JOHN COWPER POWYS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DAWN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Blow out the candles, my little one
Last Line: O I am cold, -- cold.
Subject(s): Candles; Dawn; Death; Rivers; Sunrise; Dead, The


Blow out the candles, my little one,
Lest more moths burn themselves;
The moon must soon give place to the sun;
And our watch by the dead be over and done;
O I am cold, -- cold!

Out of the marshes the wild-geese rise
And float away on the misty skies;
And the ash-tree leaves on the pale grass shiver
To feel the dawn come up from the river.
O I am cold, -- cold!

Fetch sticks for the fire, my little son;
We know of what wood those are;
And who gathered them for us one by one
As far he went, -- how far!
Never again, son, never again!
Why does the dawn tap on the pane
Like a traveller sick and old?

O that this night might have lasted on! --
Listen! Is that their feet? --
With you and me, my little son,
And him there, under the sheet;
Lasted on and on and on!
O I am cold, -- cold.





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