On The Sixteenth Day Of August
On the sixteenth day of August
Came a newsflash on tv,
'The King of rock and roll has died
In Memphis Tennessee',
The cause of death his kindly heart
So generous and true,
His life cut short within his prime
At only forty two.
As thousands gathered at the gates
Of Graceland they did cry,
In disbelief and horror for
He was too young to die,
They prayed and then lit candles there
The flames did burn so bright,
And glistened like the stars above
And shone throughout the night.
They sang his songs together
And his music filled the air,
They knew that he was with them
As they felt his presence there,
The people stayed and would not leave
And still their tears did flow,
I shan't forget that August day
So many years ago.
poem by Andrew Blakemore
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
In Memory of Elvis
Posted August 2009.
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
Presley the legend, generous, talented soul.
So attractive to the eye; Elvis had the magic
No man or woman clould deny.
On 16 August 77, sadly Elvis died
And now he is at peace in the heaven on high.
His beautiful musical score will be
in our hearts forevermore...
The world will never ever forget.
poem by Joyce Hemsley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Graceland
The mississippi delta was shining
Like a national guitar
I am following the river
Down the highway
Through the cradle of the civil war
Im going to graceland
Graceland
In memphis tennessee
Im going to graceland
Poorboys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to graceland
My traveling companion is nine years old
He is the child of my first marriage
But Ive reason to believe
We both will be received
In graceland
She comes back to tell me shes gone
As if I didnt know that
As if I didnt know my own bed
As if Id never noticed
The way she brushed her hair from her forehead
And she said losing love
Is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees youre blown apart
Everybody sees the wind blow
Im going to graceland
Memphis tennessee
Im going to graceland
Poorboys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to graceland
And my traveling companions
Are ghosts and empty sockets
Im looking at ghosts and empties
But Ive reason to believe
We all will be received
In graceland
There is a girl in new york city
Who calls herself the human trampoline
And sometimes when Im falling, flying
Or tumbling in turmoil I say
Oh, so this is what she means
She means were bouncing into graceland
And I see losing love
Is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees youre blown apart
Everybody sees the wind blow
In graceland, in graceland
Im going to graceland
For reasons I cannot explain
Theres some part of me wants to see
Graceland
And I may be obliged to defend
Every love, every ending
Or maybe theres no obligations now
Maybe Ive a reason to believe
We all will be received
In graceland
song performed by by Paul Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Memphis
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
I got to get away, study my geography
Im just a shadow of the boy I used to be
I used to see the light, now its all a mystery
I used to feel the beat, now I feel a million miles from...
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
I used dirty words never too excessively
But saying rock&roll never seemed so bad to me
I dare said it in hip and happy company
I was in and out in a second on my way to...
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
Memphis, so where the hell is memphis?
I had a one-way ticket and a little radio
I turned it on, heard the sound from twenty years ago
Somebody smiled and said, thats the only way to go
He died at twenty-one, now nobodys innocent in...
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
Somebody turned around, said, I got to disagree
He wrote that sort of turn people out to anarchy
He made them think about marlon brando on tv
I guess they still went down against anything they got in...
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
I met a wise old man, he had longer hair than me
He said, memphis is nothing like it used to be
A hundred dead guitarists lying in the cemetry
I felt a sudden chill, now Im not so sure about...
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
Memphis - where the hell is memphis?
Im on a lonesome train on a lonesome track
I think Ill jump right off, head for home, double back
And though Im better now I know that no-one knows the facts
Im gonna start again, forget I ever heard about...
song performed by by Joe Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Holocaust Song (August 6th, '45.)
8-15 Tuesday morning
a burning flash dissolved the skies,
death reigned without warning...
August 6th, '45.
In a lightning crash of frozen moment,
thousands were incinerated and scourged alive;
firewinds flayed through paper houses...
August 6th, '45.
People cauterized to the melting earth,
their scalding blood, their flesh that fried:
they were the lucky ones...
August 6th, '45.
Who put the horror in Hiroshima?
Who wrote shock on the human eye?
Who etched terror onto mankind's future
that August 6th, '45?
Across the warscape of that flattened city
women stumbled too numb to cry,
their skin pulped with boiling blisters...
August 6th, '45.
Lines of shuffling, staring figures
too stunned and sick to wonder why,
their faces shocked but past all panic...
August 6th, '45.
People peeled like red bananas,
those people lived but quickly died;
skin that hung like paper streamers...
August 6th, '45.
Who put the horror in Hiroshima?
Who permitted genocide?
Who sanctioned that mad disaster
on August 6th, '45.
Lurching beings like lifeless corpses
silhouette an ashen sky;
they wandered, abject, without purpose...
August 6th, '45.
Whose pride murdered Nagasaki?
Whose decision prepared the lies?
Were they doomed or just unlucky
that August day, '45?
Escape's denied to all survivors,
cancers haunt them till the day they die.
And their heirs will curse the craven authors
of August 6th, '45.
poem by David SmithWhite
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The Magicians Birthday
In the magic garden
Some were singing
Some were dancing
While the midnight moon
Shone brightly overhead
The stars so gaily glistened
And the sphinx in silence listened to
The magician tell of
Lives that he had led
Let the bells of freedom ring
Songs of love to fridays king
Lets all go to
The magicians birthday
Its in a forest
But not so far away
Much to do
And so much to say
While we listened to
The orchid orchestra play
Happy birthay to you ...
Happy birthday to magician
Happy birthday to you ...
Then at the dead of midnight
As we watched the dancing firelight
The air grew cold
And seemed to dull the flame
The fire died
The music faded
Filled with fear of death we waited
For now we knew
Some evil was to blame
I challenge you
I challenge you all
For all you own
And all you know
And I own the powers of darkness
I will steal what is mine
Surrender now or face my spite
I grant you it may be friday night
But did you know this day
Also numbers thirteen
First Ill give you fire
I turn your fire into a sleepy stream
Yes, now I give you darkness
From your horror Ill create a dream
You cannot fight me
For I have the sword of hate
But one thing you cant see
My answer is simply
An impenetrable fortress
Of love ... love ... love ...
The fear went as quickly as it came
The air was clear
The fire burned again
The flames leapt
The organ played
The swans sang
To greet the day
And then we knew that
Love will find love will find love ..
song performed by by Uriah Heep
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Rock 'n Roll With Me
You always were the one that knew
They sold us for the likes of you
I always wanted new surroundings
A room to rent while the lizards lay crying in the heat
Trying to remember who to meet
I would take a foxy kind of stand
While tens of thousands found me in demand
When you rock 'n' roll with me
No one else I'd rather be
Nobody here can do it for me
I'm in tears again
When you rock 'n' roll with me
Gentle hearts are counted down
The queue is out of sight and out of sounds
Me, I'm out of breath, but not quite doubting
I've found a door which lets me out!
When you rock 'n' roll with me
No one else I'd rather be
Nobody down here can do it for me
I'm in tears again
When you rock 'n' roll with me
Oooo-oo-oo-oo
Oh, when you rock 'n' roll with me,
There's no one else I'd rather be, oh
Nobody down here can do it for me
When you rock 'n' roll with me
When you rock 'n' roll, rock 'n' roll with me
No one else I'd rather, I'd rather be
Nobody down here can do it for me
I'm in tears, I'm in tears
When you rock 'n' roll with me
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When You Rockn Roll With Me
You always were the one that knew
They sold us for the likes of you
I always wanted new surroundings
A room to rent while the lizards lay crying in the heat
Trying to remember who to meet
I would take a foxy kind of stand
While tens of thousands found me in demand
When you rock n roll with me
No one else Id rather be
Nobody here can do it for me
Im in tears again
When you rock n roll with me
Gentle hearts are counted down
The queue is out of sight and out of sounds
Me, Im out of breath, but not quite doubting
Ive found a door which lets me out!
When you rock n roll with me
No one else Id rather be
Nobody down here can do it for me
Im in tears again
When you rock n roll with me
Oooo-oo-oo-oo
Oh, when you rock n roll with me,
Theres no one else Id rather be, oh
Nobody down here can do it for me
When you rock n roll with me
When you rock n roll, rock n roll with me
No one else Id rather, Id rather be
Nobody down here can do it for me
Im in tears, Im in tears
When you rock n roll with me
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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For the Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
poem by Laurence Binyon from The Times
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Memphis Tennessee
(words & music by chuck berry)
Long distance information give me memphis, tennessee
Help me find the party trying to get in touch with me
She could not leave her number but I know who placed the call
My uncle took the message and he wrote it on the wall
Help me information to get in touch with my marie
Shes the only one whod phone me here from memphis, tennessee
Her home is on the southside, high upon a ridge
Just a half a mile from the mississippi bridge
Help me information more than that I cannot add
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had
But we were pulled apart because her mom did not agree
Tore apart our happy home in memphis, tennessee
The last time I saw marie she was waving me goodbye
With hurry home drops on her cheek that trickled from her eye
Marie is only six years old, information please
Try to put me through to her in memphis, tennessee
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Walking In Memphis
Put on my blue suede shoes
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain
W.C. Handy - won't you look down over me
Cause I got a first-class ticket
And I'm as blue as a boy can be
Walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel
Saw the ghost of Elvis
Down On Union Avenue
Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
I watched him walk right through
Now security they did not see him
They just hovered 'round his tomb
There's a pretty little thing
Waiting on "The King"
Down in the Jungle Room
Walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
Do I really feel the way I feel
They've got catfish on the table
They've got gospel in the air
And Reverend Green be glad to see you
When you haven't got a prayer
You've got a prayer in Memphis
Now Muriel plays the piano
Every Friday at the Hollywood
And they brought me down to see her
And they asked me if I would
Do a little number
And I sang with all my might
She said
"Tell me are you a Christain"
I said "Ma'am I am tonight"
Walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel
Walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel
Walking in Memphis
song performed by by Lonestar
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Memphis, Tennessee
Long distance information
Give me memphis tennessee.
Try to find the party
Trying to get in touch with me.
She would not leave her number
But i know who placed the call.
'cos my uncle took the message
And he wrote it on the wall.
Help me, information,
Get in touch with my marie.
She's the only one who'd phone me here
From memphis tennessee.
Her home is on the south side
Just beyond the ridge,
Just a half a mile
From the mississippi bridge.
Help me, information,
More than that i cannot add.
Only that i miss her
And all the fun we had.
We were pulled apart
Because her mom would not agree.
Help me get in touch with her
In memphis tennessee.
The last time i saw marie
She was waving me goodbye,
With hurry homedrops on her cheek
That trickled from her eyes.
Marie is only six years old,
Information please.
Help me get in touch with her
In memphis tennessee.
song performed by by Beatles
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Super Trouper
I was a young man when I died
I was a flash, I was full of pride
I gave it all, I gave my soul, I was so strong
I felt the truth, I felt the pain in every song
How well you know me
Youve seen me cry
Im just a shadow
In a rock and roll sky
I was living in a rock and roll sky
I was a king, heavy on the style
Super trouper, yes I know you well, making me shine
I couldnt see what you did to me. I was so blind
How well you know me
Youve seen me cry
Im just a shadow
In a rock and roll sky
I wanna be like I was before
But this time Im gonna know the score
I need a home I can leave behind knowing youre there
Super trouper, I can see you now, return your stare
How well you know me
Youve seen me cry
Im just a shadow
In a rock and roll sky
song performed by by Deep Purple
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Memphis Tennessee
Long distance information, give me Memphis Tennessee
Help me find the party trying to get in touch with me
She could not leave her number, but I know who placed the call
'Cause my uncle took the message and he wrote it on the wall
Help me, information, get in touch with my Marie
She's the only one who'd phone me here from Memphis Tennessee
Her home is on the south side, high up on a ridge
Just a half a mile from the Mississippi Bridge
Help me, information, more than that I cannot add
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had
But we were pulled apart because her mom did not agree
And tore apart our happy home in Memphis Tennessee
Last time I saw Marie she's waving me good-bye
With hurry home drops on her cheek that trickled from her eye
Marie is only six years old, information please
Try to put me through to her in Memphis Tennessee
song performed by by Tom Jones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Thrush In The Fairycastle
In the fairy castle in the back,
A pair of thrushes dwelt.
For wondrous songs I did not lack,
The most beauteous, heartfelt.
Peeking inside of their domain,
You'd see the passing of the years.
You'd see nests if your neck you'd crane,
There they could nestle without fear.
Ever higher the levels went,
As the fairy castle grew in age.
And it seemed as their fledgelings out they sent,
The fairy castle turned a page.
Then just last week I saw one morn,
A single solitary thrush.
Singing on the fairy castle lost and forlorn,
I felt his songs my heart would crush.
All day all night he sang away,
But it was all for naught.
And there I see him everyday,
Lost is the one he sought.
It breaks my heart, to see him so,
His heart like mine is torn in two.
His songs all day and night do flow,
I wish I knew what to do.
They were my companions for so many years,
When I left, they remained.
They sang to me through joy and tears,
Through sunshine, and through rain.
He never wanders very far,
For the fairy castle is his home.
And he sings away at the sun and stars,
But now he sings alone.
The Fairycastle was planted in my backyard,
About fifteen years ago. It is a member of the,
Genus, Night Blooming Cereus, and it,
Is about twelve to fifteen feet high, and extremely thorny.
3/1/12 Alton Texas
poem by Juan Olivarez
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Memphis, Tennessee
Elvis presley
Long distance information, give me memphis, tennessee.
Help me find the party that tried to get in touch with me.
They would not leave a number, but I know the place to call,
Cause my uncle took a message, and he wrote it on the wall.
Long distance information, get in touch with my marie.
Shes the only one whod phone me here from memphis, tennessee.
Her home is on the south side, high up on a ridge,
Just a half a mile from the mississippi bridge.
Long distance information, more than that I cannot add.
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had.
But we were torn apart because her mom did not agree,
And tore apart our happy home in memphis, tennessee.
Now, last time I saw marie, she was waving me goodbye,
With hurry home drops on her cheeks that trickled from her eyes.
Marie is only 6 years old. information, please,
Try to put me through to her in memphis, tennessee.
Yes, oh, yes, long distance, Ill accept the charge. Ill pay.
But which loved one is calling me? I did not hear you say.
Both are deep within my heart, her mom and my marie.
Its so good to hear your voice from memphis, tennessee.
Oh, you mean so much to me, more than youll ever know.
Surely you have not forgot how much I love you so.
If you would remember, dear, and sometimes talk to me.
Maybe that would reunite our home in tennessee.
Last time I saw you, just before I had to leave.
You didnt want to see me off, and promised not to grieve.
My heart was torn apart, as I looked back at marie.
And there the pieces still remain with you in tennessee.
I guess I should stop talking, after all, you placed the call.
But any way that I can help. you know Ill help you all.
Then her mother told me to come back and see marie,
And live together in our home in memphis, tennessee.
song performed by by Roy Orbison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Daughter’s Cry of Sorrow
This poem was written by my youngest child, Reichel when she was crowned Ms. Junior in their school some months after his father’s death. I found it in her study table beside her crown and bouquet as her fall asleep with tears in her eyes...
August 16 was my husband’s birthday and August 6 was his death day. This is in memory of his 10th years death.
I don’t experience you kissing and hugging me when I was young
I know you are busy with what you are doing for our living
I know to you are sick not feeling well and that was annoying
I understand them all in my young mind and thinking.
How I prayed to god as I grew up that someday you see me
Your sweet and lovely daughter, your replica they told me
I asked the lord that your eyes be lighted to all things again
To see my face and the merits I am getting like you had been.
Most of all I asked god to give you strength so I may feel
The warm hugs and sweet kisses I long to from you in real
But what a reverse from us he took you away forever
Sad lonely and dismayed, I cried in grief and mourned all day.
Why did you go and leave and did not see me, daddy?
I am asking the lord to return you back to me
I will be he happiest teen now if he will grant me
Though I want, he will not send you back to me.
All your sufferings and pains he wants you to be free
He wanted you to rest at the expense of my being lonely
My tears can’t stop falling, where are you now dear daddy?
Oh, I see you now in the clouds, looking waving to me
Daddyyyyyyy, you’re gone... you really leave your baby?
Oh my daddy, my dearest daddy, why did you leave me?
Goodbye daddy!
(August 17,2009 at 1 pm Philippines)
poem by Jessie Clarete Bernabe Cadsawan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Undeserving
The grave’s been filled, the last wreaths laid
The last farewells have all been made
In quietude the mourners leave.
and I am left alone to grieve.
Though I behaved respectfully
as people would expect from me.
It was for show, it was not true
I’m happy to be rid of you.
You were a bully and a beast
I did not love you in the least
You made my life a misery
when there was no one to see.
There was no physical abuse
for blows are sure to leave a bruise
I was my self respect you hurt
you treated my like so much dirt
I was not allowed to go out
though you were free to gad about.
You judged my wishes by your own
you did not trust me out alone
When we went out in company
you kept a jealous eye on me.
You thought that I would cheat on you.
Something that I would never do.
My marriage vows I always kept
a truth that you could not accept.
Now kindly death has set me free
I will not miss your jealousy.
Although I loved you when we wed.
The hidden truth can now be said.
You weren’t the man I thought you were
you miserable philanderer.
The wasted years that I regret
will not be easy to forget.
Though you are ancient history
I can forget you easily.
The man that other people saw
was just the public mask you wore.
But I saw what lay underneath
a brute a bully and a thief.
I shan’t be coming here again
For I have nothing more to gain
To tell the truth I’m satisfied
to know I live but you have died.
The words “until death do us part”
are graven deeply on my heart.
Death parted us and I am glad
I have no reason to be sad.
Now you are dead beyond recall
I will not grieve for you at all.
I will give thanks for my relief
you don’t deserve my honest grief.
17-Feb-08
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Heart After God
A heart that looks at God above
Is always filled within
By the purest color of His love
And not by the shallowness of skin.
A heart that dwells with God all day
Has room there for His Word to keep
It always beats in Love to pray
And give to Him all due worship.
A heart that rests in God will be
In comfort filled with inner Peace
Its songs of Joy eternally
Flow from the Presence that is His.
A heart that hopes in God endures
Times of loss, or tears, or strife.
It knows His promises are sure
Here in this world and after life.
'For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29: 11)
Copyright
August 4,2010
Cynthia Buhain Baello
Tarlac City
poem by Cynthia Buhain-Baello
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Single Step
As I stand at one end of the long path my heart beats with anticipation. Now as the door sling open and you a wait at the other end for the music to begin my thoughts drift. I began to think with one single step life as we knew it will be done and a new life shall begin. A life that may span I hope for fifty years or more. A life filled with laughter, but also sometimes there will be sorrow. A life filled with millions of smiles but also there will be thousands of tears. A life were our beauty will shine as bright as the morning sun yet as the years go on in most eyes hopefully except but our own our beauty will fade like the sun into the night. Our life together will go through many changes; except for our love for one another. Woo the wedding march has started and you have took that first single step to our life of love.
A Dead Friend
I.
Gone, O gentle heart and true,
Friend of hopes foregone,
Hopes and hopeful days with you
Gone?
Days of old that shone
Saw what none shall see anew,
When we gazed thereon.
Soul as clear as sunlit dew,
Why so soon pass on,
Forth from all we loved and knew
Gone?
II.
Friend of many a season fled,
What may sorrow send
Toward thee now from lips that said
'Friend'?
Sighs and songs to blend
Praise with pain uncomforted
Though the praise ascend?
Darkness hides no dearer head:
Why should darkness end
Day so soon, O dear and dead
Friend?
III.
Dear in death, thou hast thy part
Yet in life, to cheer
Hearts that held thy gentle heart
Dear.
Time and chance may sear
Hope with grief, and death may part
Hand from hand's clasp here:
Memory, blind with tears that start,
Sees through every tear
All that made thee, as thou art,
Dear.
IV.
True and tender, single-souled,
What should memory do
Weeping o'er the trust we hold
True?
Known and loved of few,
But of these, though small their fold,
Loved how well were you!
Change, that makes of new things old,
Leaves one old thing new;
Love which promised truth, and told
True.
V.
Kind as heaven, while earth's control
Still had leave to bind
Thee, thy heart was toward man's whole
Kind.
Thee no shadows blind
Now: the change of hours that roll
Leaves thy sleep behind.
Love, that hears thy death-bell toll
Yet, may call to mind
Scarce a soul as thy sweet soul
Kind.
VI.
How should life, O friend, forget
Death, whose guest art thou?
Faith responds to love's regret,
How?
Still, for us that bow
Sorrowing, still, though life be set,
Shines thy bright mild brow.
Yea, though death and thou be met,
Love may find thee now
Still, albeit we know not yet
How.
VII.
Past as music fades, that shone
While its life might last;
As a song-bird's shadow flown
Past!
Death's reverberate blast
Now for music's lord has blown
Whom thy love held fast.
Dead thy king, and void his throne:
Yet for grief at last
Love makes music of his own
Past.
poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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