archet

seen all over LJ:

"When you see this, post a bit of poetry in your own journal."

Two poems that I'd chosen to go in my poetry book from high school, these were among the first poems that really left a lasting impression on me, and have stuck with me since:

"Light" - Francis W. Bourdillon

The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies,
With the dying sun.

The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;
Yet the light of a whole life dies,
When love is done.


"Happiness" - Priscilla Leonard

Happiness is like a crystal,
Fair and exquisite and clear,
Broken in a million pieces,
Shattered, scattered, far and near.

Now and then along life's pathway,
Lo! some shining fragments fall;
But there are so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.

You may find a bit of beauty,
Or an honest share of wealth,
While another just beside you
Gathers honor, love, or health.

Vain to choose or grasp unduly,
Broken is the perfect ball,
And there are so many pieces,
No one ever finds them all.

Yet the wise as on they journey
Treasure every fragment clear,
Fit them as they may together,
Imaging the shattered sphere.

Learning ever to be thankful,
Though their share of it is small;
For it has so many pieces
No on ever finds them all.