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Poetry: Edna St. Vincent Millay, “Sonnet XLIII” July 20, 2007

Posted by Evil Bender in Poetry.
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What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,
I have forgotten, and what arms have lain
Under my head till morning; but the rain
Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh
Upon the glass and listen for reply,
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.
Thus in winter stands the lonely tree,
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,
Yet knows its boughs more silent than before:
I cannot say what loves have come and gone,
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.

Comments»

1. mannabozo - July 20, 2007

One of my favorites of hers.

2. Irving - July 22, 2007

You said it, sister! Edna is one of my favorites :)