A Song Of Life

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1855 (Janesville) – 1919



In the rapture of life and of living,
 I lift up my head and rejoice,
And I thank the great Giver for giving
 The soul of my gladness a voice.
In the glow of the glorious weather,
 In the sweet-scented, sensuous air,
My burdens seem light as a feather
 They are nothing to bear.

In the strength and the glory of power,
 In the pride and the pleasure of wealth
(For who dares dispute me my dower
 Of talents and youth-time and health?) ,
I can laugh at the world and its sages
 I am greater than seers who are sad,
For he is most wise in all ages
 Who knows how to be glad.

I lift up my eyes to Apollo,
 The god of the beautiful days,
And my spirit soars off like a swallow,
 And is lost in the light of its rays.
Are tou troubled and sad? I beseech you
 Come out of the shadows of strife
Come out in the sun while I teach you
 The secret of life.

Come out of the world – come above it –
 Up over its crosses and graves,
Though the green earth is fair and I love it,
 We must love it as masters, not slaves.
Come up where the dust never rises –
 But only the perfume of flowers
And your life shall be glad with surprises
 Of beautiful hours.
Come up where the rare golden wine is
 Apollo distills in my sight,
And your life shall be happy as mine is,
 And as full of delight.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 14, 2023

1:19 min read
88

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABCDCD CEXEFGHG IJIJKLKL MNMNHOFOFPFP
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 1,283
Words 265
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8, 12

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American author and poet. more…

All Ella Wheeler Wilcox poems | Ella Wheeler Wilcox Books

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