GRIEF

by: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

      TELL you, hopeless grief is passionless;
      That only men incredulous of despair,
      Half-taught in anguish, through the midnight air
      Beat upward to God's throne in loud access
      Of shrieking and reproach. Full desertness
      In souls as countries lieth silent-bare
      Under the blanching, vertical eye-glare
      Of the absolute Heavens. Deep-hearted man, express
      Grief for thy Dead in silence like to Death--
      Most like a monumental statue set
      In everlasting watch and moveless woe
      Till itself crumble to dust beneath.
      Touch it; the marble eyelids are not wet:
      If it could weep, it could arise and go.

MORE POEMS BY ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

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