{random poetry #129}

Life! I know not what thou art,
But know that thou and I must part;
And when, or how, or where we met
I own to me’s a secret yet.

Life! we’ve been long together,
Through pleasant and through cloudy weather;
‘Tis hard to part when friends are dear -
Perhaps ’twill cost a sigh, a tear;
- Then steal away, give little warning,
Choose thine own time;
Say not Good-night - but in some brighter clime
Bid me Good-morning.

Barbauld, A.L. (1743-1825)