To My First Love (Cavatina Sequence)
(after Ernest Dowson)
It felt like yesterday but was many years ago,
you loved me still;
your smile, your lips, your sighs and promises
did my heart fill;
shattered roses, carnations and lilies
with tears did spill,
while all my many promises were true,
in my way I have been faithful to you.
I have kissed other sweet lips in passion,
meant you no ill
after you had left for another lover;
in tender skill
I tried to exorcise your enchantment;
forever will
probably have feelings that are not due,
in my way I have been faithful to you.
To me your love was as fickle as the wind,
our youth is gone
and somehow still I wish you happiness,
now quite alone
love has left you for all the other men,
I have someone
young and lovely that came out of the blue,
in my way I have been faithful to you.
[Reference: “Cynara” by Ernest Dowson.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
April Love
We have walked in Love's land a little way,
We have learnt his lesson a little while,
And shall we not part at the end of day,
With a sigh, a smile?
A little while in the shine of the sun,
We were twined together, joined lips forgot
How the shadows fall when day is done,
And when Love is not.
We have made no vows - there will none be broke,
Our love was free as the wind on the hill,
There was no word said we need wish unspoke,
We have wrought no ill.
So shall we not part at the end of day,
Who have loved and lingered a little while,
Join lips for the last time, go our way,
With a sigh, a smile.
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
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In Tempore Senectutis
When I am old,
And sadly steal apart,
Into the dark and cold,
Friend of my heart!
Remember, if you can,
Not him who lingers, but that other man,
Who loved and sang, and had a beating heart, -
When I am old !
When I am old,
And all Love's ancient fire
Be tremulous and cold:
My soul's desire !
Remember, if you may,
Nothing of you and me but yesterday,
When heart on heart we bid the years conspire
To make us old.
When I am old,
And every star above
Be pitiless and cold:
My life's one love !
Forbid me not to go :
Remember nought of us but long ago,
And not at last, how love and pity strove
When I grew old !
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
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Non Sum Qualis Eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae
Last night, ah, yesternight, betwixt her lips and mine
There fell thy shadow, Cynara! thy breath was shed
Upon my soul between the kisses and the wine;
And I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, I was desolate and bowed my head:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
All night upon mine heart I felt her warm heart beat,
Night-long within mine arms in love and sleep she lay;
Surely the kisses of her bought red mouth were sweet;
But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
When I awoke and found the dawn was gray:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind,
Flung roses, roses riotously with the throng,
Dancing, to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind;
But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, all the time, because the dance was long:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
I cried for madder music and for stronger wine,
But when the feast is finished and the lamps expire,
Then falls thy shadow, Cynara! the night is thine;
And I am desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, hungry for the lips of my desire:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
poem by Ernest Dowson
Submitted by Dan Costinaş
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Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae
Last night, ah, yesternight, betwixt her lips and mine
There fell thy shadow, Cynara! thy breath was shed
Upon my soul between the kisses and the wine;
And I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, I was desolate and bowed my head:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
All night upon mine heart I felt her warm heart beat,
Night-long within mine arms in love and sleep she lay;
Surely the kisses of her bought red mouth were sweet;
But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
When I awoke and found the dawn was gray:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind,
Flung roses, roses riotously with the throng,
Dancing, to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind;
But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, all the time, because the dance was long:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
I cried for madder music and for stronger wine,
But when the feast is finished and the lamps expire,
Then falls thy shadow, Cynara! the night is thine;
And I am desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, hungry for the lips of my desire:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Cynara
Last night, ah, yesternight, betwixt her lips and mine
There fell thy shadow, Cynara! thy breath was shed
Upon my soul between the kisses and the wine;
And I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, I was desolate and bowed my head:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
All night upon mine heart I felt her warm heart beat,
Night-long within mine arms in love and sleep she lay;
Surely the kisses of her bought red mouth were sweet;
But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
When I awoke and found the dawn was gray:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind,
Flung roses, roses riotously with the throng,
Dancing, to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind;
But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, all the time, because the dance was long:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
I cried for madder music and for stronger wine,
But when the feast is finished and the lamps expire,
Then falls thy shadow, Cynara! the night is thine;
And I am desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, hungry for the lips of my desire:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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They are not long, the days of wine and roses.
quote by Ernest Dowson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Best Memory
The best memory I have is leaving you.
I finally felt power over myself.
I felt freedom.
No more crying over you cause you came home late.
No more pretending a smile when things aren't right.
I rememeber that day, like it was yesterday.
Oh wait it was yesterday.
Yesterday I got all the freedom I ever wanted
The best part is I can do anything
I want to without you dragging me down.
Now I can find somebody
Who could actually put their heart and soul
Into our relationship like I did with you.
I can not believe I loved you.
You must have drugged me or something.: (
poem by Makayla Straight
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Beyond
Love's aftermath! I think the time is now
That we must gather in, alone, apart
The saddest crop of all the crops that grow,
Love's aftermath.
Ah, sweet,--sweet yesterday, the tears that start
Can not put back the dial; this is, I trow,
Our harvesting! Thy kisses chill my heart,
Our lips are cold; averted eyes avow
The twilight of poor love: we can but part,
Dumbly and sadly, reaping as we sow,
Love's aftermath.
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
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Today is better than Yesterday
Yesterday
Yesterday, I was running with to feet
Yesterday, I was playing with kids
Yesterday, I was kicking the ball
Yesterday, I had it all, all was mine.
Yesterday, I was growing well,
Yesterday, I had it all undercover
Yesterday was my day
Yesterday, my days were
Yesterday, I had a lover, ‘true lover’
Yesterday, promises were made
Yesterday, promises were not kept
Yesterday, I was happy.
Yesterday, I gave him everything
Yesterday, I sacrificed everything
Yesterday, I was a fool
Yesterday, I was dying
Today
Today, I am lying in bed
Today, I am watching hopeless kids
Today, I can hardly move
Today, everything is falling
Today, I am dying in bed
Today, it is all wrong
Today, is not my day
Today, my days are not
Today, I have no one
Today, promises are broken
Today, promises are not
Today, I have no hope
Today, I long for myself
Today, I cry over spilled milk
Today, I am wise
Today, I live
Whatever happened yesterday is not
Whatever was, is not
Whatever was broken can be fixed
Whatever wound are, can be healed
Just need the Perfect Healer
Jesus I know you are! ! !
poem by Sbonelo C Ngcobo
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Sapientia Lunae
The wisdom of the world said unto me:
'_Go forth and run, the race is to the brave;
Perchance some honour tarrieth for thee!_'
'As tarrieth,' I said, 'for sure, the grave.'
For I had pondered on a rune of roses,
Which to her votaries the moon discloses.
The wisdom of the world said: '_There are bays:
Go forth and run, for victory is good,
After the stress of the laborious days._'
'Yet,' said I, 'shall I be the worms' sweet food,'
As I went musing on a rune of roses,
Which in her hour, the pale, soft moon discloses.
Then said my voices: '_Wherefore strive or run,
On dusty highways ever, a vain race?
The long night cometh, starless, void of sun,
What light shall serve thee like her golden face?_'
For I had pondered on a rune of roses,
And knew some secrets which the moon discloses.
'Yea,' said I, 'for her eyes are pure and sweet
As lilies, and the fragrance of her hair
Is many laurels; and it is not meet
To run for shadows when the prize is here';
And I went reading in that rune of roses
Which to her votaries the moon discloses.
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
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River Lilies
Saw a boy three lilies white,
Lilies in the river,
Half heart-open to the light,
Full of golden arrows bright,
Each a silver quiver.
Lilies, lilies, lilies white,
Lilies in the river.
Said the boy, “I’ll pluck you there,
Lilies in the river!”
Said the lilies, “If you dare
You shall drown, or homeward fare
Dripping and a-shiver!”
Lilies, lilies, lilies white,
Lilies in the river.
Wilful still the boy would clasp
Lilies in the river;
Tumbled in ere he could grasp,
Scrambled out with puff and gasp,
Plucked no lilies ever.
Lilies, lilies, lilies white,
Lilies in the river.
poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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The Enchanted Garden
OH, what a garden it was, living gold, living green,
Full of enchantments like spices embalming the air,
There, where you fled and I followed--you ever unseen,
Yet each glad pulse of me cried to my heart, 'She is there!'
Roses and lilies and lilies and roses again,
Tangle of leaves and white magic of blossoming trees,
Sunlight that lay where, last moment, your footstep had lain--
Was not the garden enchanted that proffered me these?
Ah, what a garden it is since I caught you at last--
Scattered the magic and shattered the spell with a kiss:
Wintry and dreary and cold with the wind of the past,
Ah that a garden enchanted should wither to this!
poem by Edith Nesbit
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Red roses from shubo
I'saw that miraculous from your love.
First i'to meet you.
First red roses say i'have admiration about you.
I'saw that miraculous from your love.
Then yesterday you have come to me together with your red roses and say to me i'have a longing.
Now you will be come back again to me together with your red roses and say to me waiting me for tomorrow, i'need saying something.
I'waiting for tomorrow
I'waiting with my hopes
I'waiting with my wish
I'waiting for the miraculous red roses.
I'saw that miraculous from your love.
You have promise and will be come again to me.
You telling about your fill heart.
I'saw that miraculous from your heart.
And you say i'love you, promise you can fill my heart full of red roses.
Future Is Promises
I saw him today at the station
There was something on his mind
I felt I was on the devils mission
Trying to steal him from a friend
I know it hurts you
And you cant ask why
I know it hurts you
Takes a train to cry
Your only future is promises
For so many years
Your only future is promises
I know you can make it if you try
Youve been living life in the past
Im gonna reach out Im gonna grab your heart
Youve been living life in the eyes of a stranger
Youve gotta free your mind
Cause I want to get nearer
Your only future is promises
For so many years
Your only future is promises
I know you can make it if you try
Take the chance and make the move
But dont think that I will approve
For once Ive finally realised
Being with her wasted your life
Your only future is promises
For so many years
Your only future is promises
I know you can make it if you try
Your only future is promises
For so many years
Your only future is promises
song performed by by Texas
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You would have understood me, had you waited
You would have understood me, had you waited;
I could have loved you, dear! as well as he:
Had we not been impatient, dear! and fated
Always to disagree.
What is the use of speech? Silence were fitter:
Lest we should still be wishing things unsaid.
Though all the words we ever spake were bitter,
Shall I reproach you dead?
Nay, let this earth, your portion, likewise cover
All the old anger, setting us apart:
Always, in all, in truth was I your lover;
Always, I held your heart.
I have met other women who were tender,
As you were cold, dear! with a grace as rare.
Think you, I turned to them, or made surrender,
I who had found you fair?
Had we been patient, dear! ah, had you waited,
I had fought death for you, better than he:
But from the very first, dear! we were fated
Always to disagree.
Late, late, I come to you, now death discloses
Love that in life was not to be our part:
On your low lying mound between the roses,
Sadly I cast my heart.
I would not waken you: nay! this is fitter;
Death and the darkness give you unto me;
Here we who loved so, were so cold and bitter,
Hardly can disagree.
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
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Amor Umbratilis
A gift of Silence, sweet!
Who may not ever hear:
To lay down at your unobservant feet,
Is all the gift I bear.
I have no songs to sing,
That you should heed or know:
I have no lilies, in full hands, to fling
Across the path you go.
I cast my flowers away,
Blossoms unmeet for you!
The garland I have gathered in my day:
My rosemary and rue.
I watch you pass and pass,
Serene and cold: I lay
My lips upon your trodden, daisied grass,
And turn my life away.
Yea, for I cast you, sweet!
This one gift, you shall take:
Like ointment, on your unobservant feet,
My silence, for your sake.
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
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This Libation, Cupid, Take
This libation, Cupid, take,
With the lilies at thy feet;
Cherish Pierrot for their sake
Send him visions strange and sweet,
While he slumbers at thy feet.
Only love kiss him awake!
Only love kiss him awake!
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
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Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam
They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,
Love and desire and hate:
I think they have no portion in us after
We pass the gate.
They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream.
poem by Ernest Christopher Dowson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Unbroken
(holly lamar, annie roboff)
How I ever lived and breathed before you loved me, I dont recall
If I walked around at all, it was in bits and pieces
Of a jagged heart
You kissed me and every piece went back in place, every pain got erased
You held me up to the light
No one ever left me out in the rain
Cold words still remain unspoken
And I never got lost, spent years in the dark
Youre here, now my hearts unbroken
When I see your smile fill my soul again
Im unbroken
If I doubted the power of love, baby now I understand
I thank God for every day I wake up to the soft touch
Of your magic hands
In this world sometimes the only thing thats real is the way you make me feel
Babe, the changes day and night
I swear its life
No one ever left me out in the rain
Cold words still remain unspoken
And I never got lost, spent years in the dark
Youre here, now my hearts unbroken
When I see your smile fill my soul again
Im unbroken
I still see the night, I fell into your eyes
And when we made love it felt like the first time
No one ever left me out in the rain
Cold words still remain unspoken
And I never got lost, spent years in the dark
Youre here, now my hearts unbroken
When I see your smile fill my soul again
Im unbroken
When I see your smile fill my soul again
Im unbroken
Im unbroken, oh yeah
Im unbroken
No one ever left me out in the rain
Cold words still remain unspoken
And I never got lost, spent years in the dark
Youre here, now my hearts unbroken
When I see your smile fill my soul again
Im unbroken
song performed by by Tim McGraw
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Smile For Me
Girl I dont want to waiste time, me just love the profile
You have the general going wild
Degree love it when you smile
Smile for me, you fill my heart with pleasure
Cant you see, you make me feel a whole lot better
Just smile for me. just keep that smile forever
Baby girl the two of we, we have to get together
Smile for me, you fill my heart with pleasure
Cant you see, you make me feel a whole lot better
Just smile for me. just keep that smile forever
Baby girl the two of we, we have to get together
Show me your smile and make me see your pretty dimple
Them bright like the stars them when twinkle
It make me body full of goosepimple
No take it simple cause its dem thing that me into
Another thing woman tell me if you are single
And if you are single well hear this ya tingle
If me and you should ever get the chance fe mingle
A dis me what you do to make my body tingle
Smile for me, you fill my heart with pleasure
Cant you see, you make me feel a whole lot better
Just smile for me. just keep that smile forever
Baby girl the two of we, we have to get together
Woman when you smile ever cute you ever twist
Your smile a drive me wild, woman I am tempted to kiss
Me say honey me say sugar, all over your lips
Could a give me diabetes, me still not resist!
Come dem a smile me a record for you, a compact disc (I tell you)
Well already fixed like a digital mix, woman you are bad with it
You no need no practice, and the verse, and start the corus like this
Smile for me, you fill my heart with pleasure
Cant you see, you make me feel a whole lot better
Just smile for me. just keep that smile forever
Baby girl the two of we, we have to get together
Smile for me, you fill my heart with pleasure
Cant you see, you make me feel a whole lot better
Just smile for me. just keep that smile forever
Baby girl the two of we, we have to get together
Girl a you have the right serial
And you produce the smiling material
From a past end place someone ? your ?
But for your smile a fe dem all good and equal
A smile a there for me is so essential
A what it do me you have to keep it confidential
So just smile a while and dont crap me style
No ever do that to the general
Smile for me, you fill my heart with pleasure
Cant you see, you make me feel a whole lot better
Just smile for me. just keep that smile forever
Baby girl the two of we have to get together
Smile for me, you fill my heart with pleasure
Cant you see, you make me feel a whole lot better
Just smile for me. just keep that smile forever
Baby girl the two of we have to get together
song performed by by Ub40
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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