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Read more poems by W.H. Auden: W.H. Auden Poems at Poetry X.

More poems by W.H. AudenW.H. Auden | Print this page.Print | Order a PoetryNotes Analysis of this poem.Analysis | View and Write CommentsComments (13)

If I Could Tell You

W.H. Auden

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 all the lions 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.

Added: 13 Feb 2002 | Last Read: 26 May 2012 1:47 AM | Viewed: 30464 times

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URL: http://plagiarist.com/poetry/2507/ | Viewed on 26 May 2012.
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