W.H. Auden (II)

As promised, here’s my favorite Auden poem. I think it’s as fine as example of a villanelle as the much more famous “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,” which seems to be the ur-exemplar of the form in English and the only villanelle that has vaulted into the realm of much-known poems.

If the following poem has a flaw, it’s sentimentality; but to me, it feels like earned rather than ersatz sentiment. I think it’s lovely.

Completely unrelated to Auden, poetry, or any of life’s lovely and transforming experiences, I am still unable to log into Facebook – however, I filed a complaint with TRUSTe, and they have determined that I have a valid privacy violation complaint on that account and are working with Facebook to get the issue resolved. Thanks to everyone who had helpful suggestions.

If I could tell you
Time will say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

There are no fortunes to be told, although,
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know.

The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why the leaves decay;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

Suppose the lions all get up and go,
And all the brooks and soldiers run away;
Will Time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could tell you I would let you know.

Auden I on this blog
Auden on Wikipedia

Auden on Poets.org