Sonnet III — “When Life Stoops Low And Shadows Long”
Sonnet III — “When Life Stoops Low And Shadows Long”
When gathered dusk ensnares the hills and fields,
and winds around the trunks of oaks and elms,
and crimson sun sinks low over golden yields,
the stalks of wheat that stand like crested helms —
When birds fly south to find their hidden nests,
and busy bees return for night repose,
and moonlight gives the clouds their silver crests,
and stars array the sky in shining clothes —
When golden life stoops low and shadows long
begin to creep up through the window-glass
and you can hear the sickle sweep, death’s song,
and eyes grow cold and mute to watch life pass —
Then give your hand away to death, your lord,
and he will fix on you a golden cord.
Notes
I hope you enjoyed “When Life Stoops Low And Shadows Long.” If so, please let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear what you think of my sonnets in general. I don’t write them often and need to know if I should continue.
If you enjoyed this sonnet, check out Sonnet I and Sonnet II.
And, as always, thank you for reading!
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“When Life Stoops Low..” is a very fine, evocative poem, and I hope you continue to work in this format. I think more frequently about death the older I get, and poetry is a comfort. Thanks for sharing another of your fine sonnets.
You’re welcome and thank you for reading it! I’m very glad to hear you enjoyed it. I hope that my poetry will always be a comfort to you and to others.