Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO ONE WHO SPOKE OF ETERNAL THINGS, by JOHN COWPER POWYS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO ONE WHO SPOKE OF ETERNAL THINGS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hush! For the shadow of a flower
Last Line: More than eternity.
Subject(s): Dreams; Flowers; Future Life; Trees; Worship; Nightmares; Retribution; Eternity; After Life


Hush! for the shadow of a flower
Upon a sun-warmed stone,
Your "Highest Truth" with all its power
I'd willingly disown.

Hush! for a glance thro' the lattice flung
Upon a sleeping brow,
Your "Thunder of the Immortal Tongue"
I'd lightly disavow.

The eternal law, the deep life-stream,
Why should I worship these?
Better the briefest human dream
Among the fading trees!

Better the frailest human touch
When the harebells cover the hill,
Or the broken memory of such
When the heart has its will!

Better the toss of the daffodil's head
When the swallow dips in the pool!
Better the rain on the crocus-bed
That keeps the twilight cool!

Better -- I see it now! -- that look,
Mixed strangely with shells and sand,
And the uncut page of a curious book
And the quiver of a hand!

The little things -- the little things --
The things that fade and die --
The perfume of their passing brings
More than Eternity.





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