Poetry of Change and Mutability
- Mutable
- Changable, Alterable, (see Mutate)
Maiden And Weathercock
And people would think it wondrous strange
If I, a weathercock, should not change.
Be not content -- contentment means inaction;
The growing soul aches on its upward quest;
Satiety is twin to satisfaction;
All great achievements spring from life's unrest.
Mutability. (We are as clouds that veil the midnight moon...)
We are as clouds that veil the midnight moon;
How restlessly they speed, and gleam, and quiver,
Streaking the darkness radiantly!--yet soon
Night closes round, and they are lost for ever;
Mutability (The flower that smiles to-day...)
The flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow dies;
All that we wish to stay
Tempts and then flies.
What is this world's delight?
Lightning that mocks the night,
Brief even as bright.
All that's bright must fade, --
The brightest still the fleetest;
All that's sweet was made
But to be lost when sweetest.
Stars that shine and fall;
The flower that drops in springing;
These, alas! are types of all
To which our hearts are clinging.
If I change with all the winds that blow,
It is only because they made me so;
And people would think it wondrous strange
If I, a weathercock, should not change.
O pretty maiden so fine and fair,
With your dreamy eyes and your golden hair,
When you and your lover meet to-day,
You will thank me for looking some other way.
