The Poetry Corner

The Lesson

By Madison Julius Cawein

This is the lesson I have learned of Beauty: Who gathers flowers finds that flowers fade: Who sets love in his heart above his duty Misses the part for which that love was made. Than passion, haply, there is nothing madder: Who plucks its red rose plucks with it a thorn: More than soul's pain what hurt can make us sadder? And yet of this immortal things are born.