VANITY

A wan sky greener than the lawn,

A wan lawn paler than the sky.

She gave a flower into my hand,

And all the hours of eve went by.

Who knows what round the corner waits

To smite? If shipwreck, snare, or slur

Shall leave me with a head to lift,

Worthy of him that spoke with her.

A wan sky greener than the lawn,

A wan lawn paler than the sky.

She gave a flower into my hand,

And all the days of life went by.

Live ill or well, this thing is mine,

From all I guard it, ill or well.

One tawdry, tattered, faded flower

To show the jealous kings in hell.