The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar · Paul Laurence Dunbar

Phyllis

99 of 424 · 1 min of reading

Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day,

Few are my years, but my griefs are not few,

Ever to youth should each day be a May-day,

Warm wind and rose-breath and diamonded dew--

Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day.

Oh for the sunlight that shines on a May-day!

Only the cloud hangeth over my life.

Love that should bring me youth's happiest heyday

Brings me but seasons of sorrow and strife;

Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day.

Sunshine or shadow, or gold day or gray day,

Life must be lived as our destinies rule;

Leisure or labor or work day or play day--

Feasts for the famous and fun for the fool;

Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day.

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End of part 99 of 424