This poem must be done to-day;
Then, I 'll e'en to it.
I must not dream my time away,-
I 'm sure to rue it.
The day is rather bright, I know
The Muse will pardon
My half-defection, if I go
Into the garden.
It must be better working there,-
I 'm sure it's sweeter:
And something in the balmy air
May clear my metre.
In the Garden.
Ah this is noble, what a sky!
What breezes blowing!
The very clouds, I know not why,
Call one to rowing.
The stream will be a paradise
To-day, I 'll warrant.
I know the tide that's on the rise
Will seem a torrent;
I know just how the leafy boughs
Are all a-quiver;
I know how many skiffs and scows
Are on the river.
I think I 'll just go out awhile
Before I write it;
When Nature shows us such a smile,
We should n't slight it.
For Nature always makes desire
By giving pleasure;
And so 't will help me put more fire
Into my measure.
On the River.
The river's fine, I 'm glad I came,
That poem 's teasing;
But health is better far than fame,
Though cheques are pleasing.
I don't know what I did it for,-
This air 's a poppy.
I 'm sorry for my editor,-
He 'll get no copy!
The Lapse
Paul Laurence Dunbar
(1)
Poem topics: away, dream, fire, noble, sky, smile, sorry, time, desire, pleasure, rise, health, write, clear, bright, glad, paradise, measure, stream, nature, Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
Write your comment about The Lapse poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Best Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar