The world is with me, and its many cares,
Its woes–its wants–the anxious hopes and fears
That wait on all terrestrial affairs–
The shades of former and of future years–
Forboding fancies and prophetic tears,
Quelling a spirit that was once elate.
Heavens! what a wilderness the world appears,
Where youth, and mirth, and health are out of date;
But no–a laugh of innocence and joy
Resounds, like music of the fairy race,
And, gladly turning from the world’s annoy,
I gaze upon a little radiant face,
And bless, internally, the merry boy
Who “makes a son-shine in a shady place.”
(Thomas Hood)
More Poetry from Thomas Hood:
Thomas Hood Poems based on Topics: World, Faces, Youth, Place, Fairy, Innocence, Future, Health- Bianca's Dream - A Venetian Story (Thomas Hood Poems)
- A Retrospective Review (Thomas Hood Poems)
- A Parental Ode to My Son, Aged 3 Years and 5 months (Thomas Hood Poems)
- Fair Ines (Thomas Hood Poems)
- Anticipation (Thomas Hood Poems)
- By Eve'ry Sweet Tradition of True Hearts (Thomas Hood Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: World Poems, Faces Poems, Youth Poems, Place Poems, Future Poems, Health Poems, Fairy Poems, Innocence PoemsBased on Keywords: affairs, prophetic, elate, annoy, resounds, terrestrial, quelling, internally, forboding, no-a