Monday 1 August 2016

If I Could Tell You


August, always seems a month about Time. When summer time begins to run out and time as a rapidly dwindling resource, makes itself known.


If I Could Tell You - WH Auden

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 reasons 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 all the lions get up and go,
And all 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.

1 comment:

  1. An achingly beautiful poem about mortality and our desire for meaning and order in life. Auden's distinctive voice, gentle yet urgent, shines through in every verse. Thank you for posting this villanelle, it's almost conversational. -Fudgy44

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