As in the midst of battle there is room
For thoughts of love, and in foul sin for mirth;
As gossips whisper of a trinket's worth
Spied by the death-bed's flickering candle-gloom;
As in the crevices of Caesar's tomb
The sweet herbs flourish on a little earth
So in this great disaster of our birth
We can be happy, and forget our doom.
For morning, with a ray of tenderest joy
Gilding the iron heaven, hides the truth,
And evening gently woos us to employ
Our grief in idle catches. Such is youth;
Till from that summer's trance we wake, to find
Despair before us, vanity behind.
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Comments2WOW, THIS POEM REALLY TAKES ME BACK TO MY YOUNGER DAYS WHEN I FIRST READ IT. I LOVE HOW IT CAPTURES THE RANGE OF EMOTIONS AND EXPERIENCES WE GO THROUGH IN LIFE, ESPECIALLY HOW WE CAN FIND HAPPINESS AMIDST TRIALS AND CHALLENGES. THE IMAGERY IS JUST SO VIVID AND POWERFUL.
Was better when I read "Sonnet XXV" younger, tbh 😕