the flower that smiles today
THE FLOWER THAT SMILES TODAY
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
The flower that smiles today
Tomorrow dies;
All that we wish to stay
Tempts and then flies;
What is this world' delight?
Lightning, that mocks the night,
Brief even as bright. -
Virtue, how frail it is! -
Friendship, how rare! -
Love, how it sells poor bliss
For proud despair!
But these, though soon they fall,
Survive their joy, and all
Which ours we call. -
Whilst skies are blue and bright,
Whilst flowers are gay,
Whilst eyes that change ere night
Make glad the day;
Whilst yet the calm hours creep,
Dream though - and from thy sleep
Then wake to weep.
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One of my favourite poems, so I wanted to share it with you guys.