Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LOVE'S CALENDAR; TO AN ABSENT WIFE, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LOVE'S CALENDAR; TO AN ABSENT WIFE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O since 'tis decreed by the envious fates
Last Line: It may fairly be reckoned a year!
Subject(s): Absence; Love - Marital; Separation; Isolation; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love


O SINCE 't is decreed by the envious Fates,
All deaf to the clamoring heart,
That the truest and fondest of conjugal mates
Shall often be sighing apart;

Since the Days of our absence are many and sad,
And the Hours of our meeting are few,
Ah! what in a case so exceedingly bad,
Can the deepest philosophy do?

Pray what can we do, -- unfortunate elves,
Unconscious of folly or crime, --
But make a new Calendar up for ourselves,
For the better appraisal of time?

And the Hours alone shall the Calendar fill
(While Blanks show their distance apart),
Just sufficiently near to keep off the chill
That else might be freezing the heart;

And each Hour shall be such a glorious hour,
Its moments so precious and dear,
That in breadth, and in depth, and in bliss-giving power,
It may fairly be reckoned a year!





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