Childhood alone is glad. With it time flees
In constant mimes and bright festivities.
It, like the ever-restless butterfly,
Or seeks or settles on some flower of joy.
Youth chases pleasure, but oft starteth pain;
And love, youth’s birthright, oft is love in vain;
While manhood follows wealth, or woos ambition,
That are but courted cares; and, with transition
Insensible, he enters upon age;
Thence gilding like a spectre from life’s stage,
E’en through the door of dotage. So he passes
To second childhood; but, as quickening gases,
Being fled, leave zestless a once cheering draught,
We grow not merry though the dotard laughed.
(Charles Heavysege)
More Poetry from Charles Heavysege:
Charles Heavysege Poems based on Topics: Flowers, Pain, Love, Money & Wealth, Pleasure, Ambition, Joy & Excitement, Childhood, Age, Youth, Butterflies- Haunts Of A Demon (extract from Saul) (Charles Heavysege Poems)
- Conscious Madness (extract from Saul) (Charles Heavysege Poems)
- Last Words Of Saul (extract from Saul) (Charles Heavysege Poems)
- After Defeat (extract from Saul) (Charles Heavysege Poems)
- The Fallen Angels (Charles Heavysege Poems)
- Winter Night (Charles Heavysege Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Love Poems, Joy & Excitement Poems, Youth Poems, Flowers Poems, Pain Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, Age Poems, Pleasure Poems, Childhood Poems, Butterflies Poems, Ambition PoemsBased on Keywords: insensible, dotard, dotage, chases, gases, mimes, ever-restless, festivities, starteth