To Blossoms

By Robert Herrick

1591-1674


FAIR pledges of a fruitful tree,
         Why do ye fall so fast?
         Your date is not so past
But you may stay yet here awhile
         To blush and gently smile,
         And go at last.

What! were ye born to be
         An hour or half's delight,
         And so to bid good night?
'Twas pity Nature brought you forth
         Merely to show your worth
         And lose you quite.

But you are lovely leaves, where we
         May read how soon things have
         Their end, though ne'er so brave:
And after they have shown their pride
         Like you awhile, they glide
         Into the grave.

DayPoems Poem No. 253
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/253.html">To Blossoms by Robert Herrick</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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