Leave-Taking

Louise Bogan 1897 (Livermore Falls) – 1970 (New York City)



I do not know where either of us can turn
Just at first, waking from the sleep of each other.
I do not know how we can bear
The river struck by the gold plummet of the moon,
Or many trees shaken together in the darkness.
We shall wish not to be alone
And that love were not dispersed and set free—
Though you defeat me,
And I be heavy upon you.

But like earth heaped over the heart
Is love grown perfect.
Like a shell over the beat of life
Is love perfect to the last.
So let it be the same
Whether we turn to the dark or to the kiss of another;
Let us know this for leavetaking,
That I may not be heavy upon you,
That you may blind me no more.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 02, 2023

41 sec read
87

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXXXXBBC XXXXXAXCX
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 654
Words 138
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 9, 9

Louise Bogan

Louise Bogan was an American poet. more…

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