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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LAPSE, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR Poet's Biography First Line: This poem must be done today Last Line: He 'll get no copy! Subject(s): Poetry & Poets | |||
THIS poem must be done to-day; Then, I'll e'en to it. I must not dream my time away, -- I'm sure to rue it. The day is rather bright, I know The Muse will pardon My half-defection, if I go Into the garden. It must be better working there, -- I'm sure it 's sweeter: And something in the balmy air May clear my metre. [In the Garden.] Ah this is noble, what a sky! What breezes blowing! The very clouds, I know not why, Call one to rowing. The stream will be a paradise To-day, I'll warrant. I know the tide that 's on the rise Will seem a torrent; I know just how the leafy boughs Are all a-quiver; I know how many skiffs and scows Are on the river. I think I'll just go out awhile Before I write it; When Nature shows us such a smile, We should n't slight it. For Nature always makes desire By giving pleasure; And so 't will help me put more fire Into my measure. [On the River.] The river 's fine, I'm glad I came, That poem 's teasing; But health is better far than fame, Though cheques are pleasing. I don't know what I did it for, -- This air 's a poppy. I'm sorry for my editor, -- He 'll get no copy! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ENVY OF OTHER PEOPLE'S POEMS by ROBERT HASS THE NINETEENTH CENTURY AS A SONG by ROBERT HASS THE FATALIST: TIME IS FILLED by LYN HEJINIAN OXOTA: A SHORT RUSSIAN NOVEL: CHAPTER 192 by LYN HEJINIAN LET ME TELL YOU WHAT A POEM BRINGS by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA JUNE JOURNALS 6/25/88 by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA FOLLOW ROZEWICZ by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA HAVING INTENDED TO MERELY PICK ON AN OIL COMPANY, THE POEM GOES AWRY by HICOK. BOB ERE SLEEP COMES DOWN TO SOOTHE THE WEARY EYES by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |
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