The Poetry of Life

“No poet or novelist wishes he were the only one who ever lived, but most of them wish they were the only one alive, and quite a number fondly believe their wish has been granted.” – W. H. Auden

Born in February 1907, Auden was an English-American poet noted for his stylistic and technical achievement, his engagement with politics, morals, love, and religion. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his 1947 long poem The Age of Anxiety.   Auden, who died in 1973, also was a prolific writer of essays and reviews and worked on documentary films, poetic plays, and music.  

“No poet or novelist wishes he were the only one who ever lived, but most of them wish they were the only one alive, and quite a number fondly believe their wish has been granted.” – W. H. Auden

Born in February 1907, Auden was an English-American poet noted for his stylistic and technical achievement, and his engagement with politics, morals, love, and religion.   He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his 1947 long poem The Age of Anxiety.  Auden,who died in 1973, also was a prolific writer of essays and reviews and worked on documentary films, poetic plays, and music.        “A verbal art like poetry is reflective; it stops to think,” he said. “Music is immediate, it goes on to become.”   For Saturday’s Poem, here is Auden’s

    If I Could Tell You

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 reason 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 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.

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