'Tis the last rose of summer -Thomas Moore

Left blooming alone

When I was a kid, and I thought of poetry, the following poem is the kind of thing I imagined. Nowadays I think of something completley different.

Because I mostly read contemporary poets and mostly free verse, I wanted to reach back and beyond my comfort to see what I can learn from the dead. Thus, I bought this used book, The Portable Romantic Poets. You may see a handful of works from this book, like the poem below.

After you read the poem, I’d be curious to know how his actions strike you. Do you agree with the poet that his action was a kindness?

—

’Tis the last rose of summer
by Thomas Moore in The Portable Romantic Poets

Air—”Groves of Blarney”

’Tis the last rose of summer,
Left blooming alone;
All her lovley companions
Are faded and gone;
No flower of her kindred,
No rose-bud night,
To reflect back her blushes,
Or give sigh for sigh!

I’ll not leave thee, though lone one!
To pine on the stem;
Since the lovely are sleeping,
Go, sleep though with them.
Thus kindly I scatter
They leaves o’er the bed,
Where they mates of the garden
Lie scentless and dead.

So soon may I follow,
When freindships decay,
And from Love’s shining circle
The gems drop away!
When true hearts lie wither’d,
And fond ones are flown,
Oh! who would inhabit
This bleak world alone?

—

I’d love to hear from you. I want to know what you think. Did you like this poem? Did any part of it resonate with you? Let me know.