Time will say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
There are no fortunes to be told, although,
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know.
The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why the leaves decay;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
Suppose the lions all get up and go,
And all the brooks and soldiers run away?
Will time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could tell you I would let you know.
W.H.Auden
Photo by Alistair.
4 comments:
Hari Om
'Paw'fectly pitched... &*> YAM xx
The villanelle's repetition is indeed powerful. See Mad Girl's Love Song by Sylvia Plath.
I was pondering over Auden in Addyman's book shop in Hay-on-Wye yesterday. In the end I bought Seamus Heaney instead. Next time . . . as this is such a lovely poem.
Thanks folks.
This is a deep one to be sure.
Thanks for the tip dbs - I'll have a look at SP.
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