Time and Grief

By William Lisle Bowles

1762-1850


O TIME! who know'st a lenient hand to lay
Softest on sorrow's wound, and slowly thence
(Lulling to sad repose the weary sense)
The faint pang stealest unperceived away;
On thee I rest my only hope at last,
And think, when thou hast dried the bitter tear
That flows in vain o'er all my soul held dear,
I may look back on every sorrow past,
And meet life's peaceful evening with a smile:
As some lone bird, at day's departing hour,
Sings in the sunbeam, of the transient shower
Forgetful, though its wings are wet the while:--
         Yet ah! how much must this poor heart endure,
         Which hopes from thee, and thee alone, a cure!

DayPoems Poem No. 461
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/461.html">Time and Grief by William Lisle Bowles</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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