CLASSIC POETRY

Is It Possible

                    Is It Possible Is it possibleThat so high debate,So sharp, so sore, and of such rate,Should end so soon and was begun so late?Is it possible? Is it possibleSo cruel intent,So hasty heat and so soon spent,From love to hate, and thence for to relent?Is it possible? Is it possibleThat any may findWithin...Read More »

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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

                    I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings The free bird leapson the back of the windand floats downstreamtill the current endsand dips his wingsin the orange sun raysand dares to claim the sky. But a bird that stalksdown his narrow cagecan seldom see throughhis bars of ragehis wings are clipped andhis feet...Read More »

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CHANCE MEETINGS

                  CHANCE MEETINGS In the mazes of loitering people, the watchful and furtive,The shadows of tree-trunks and shadows of leaves,In the drowse of the sunlight, among the low voices,I suddenly face you, Your dark eyes return for a space from her who is with you,They shine into mine with a sunlit desire,They say...Read More »

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LORENZO DE’ MEDICI, 1448-1492

                  LORENZO DE’ MEDICISonetto II saw my Lady by a purling brookWith laughing maidens, where green branches twined;O never since that primal, passionate lookHave I beheld her face so soft and kind.Hence for a space my yearning was contentAnd my sad soul some consolation knew;Alas, my heart remained although I went,And...Read More »

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Approaching Night

                      Approaching Night Its strife I cannot bear to see,Its very praises hurt me moreThan een its coldness did before,Its hollow ways torment me nowAnd start a cold sweat on my brow,Its noise I cannot bear to hear,Its joy is trouble to my ear,Its ways I cannot bear to see,Its crowds are...Read More »

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Unromantic Love

                      There is no stillness in this wood. The quiet of this clearing Is the denial of my hearing The sounds I should. There is no vision in this glade. This tower of sun revealing The timbered scaffoldage is stealing Essence from shade. Only my love is love’s ideal. The love I could discover In these recesses knows no lover, Is the...Read More »

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Desiderata

                        Words for life Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have...Read More »

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I will put Chaos into fourteen lines

                        I will put Chaos into fourteen linesAnd keep him there; and let him thence escapeIf he be lucky; let him twist, and apeFlood, fire, and demon — his adroit designsWill strain to nothing in the strict confinesOf this sweet order, where, in pious rape,I hold his essence and amorphous shape,Till...Read More »

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I Don't Know How Many Souls I Have

      I don’t know how many souls I have. I’ve changed at every moment. I always feel like a stranger. I’ve never seen or found myself. From being so much, I have only soul. A man who has soul has no calm. A man who sees is just what he sees....Read More »

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one's not half two. It's two are halves of one

  one’s not half two. It’s two are halves of one: which halves reintegrating, shall occur no death and any quantity; but than all numerable mosts the actual more minds ignorant of stern miraculous this every truth-beware of heartless them (given the scalpel, they dissect a kiss; or, sold the reason, they...Read More »

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