‘Whatever A Sun Will Always Sing’*
A Poem
You spoke no words and you saw no light,
All you had was a heart, that beat,
And was no more.
You never saw the stars and wondered
And felt small;
Never tasted salt and hungered;
Never sang or skipped or fell —
Just the beat of your heart, which faltered,
And stopped, and was no more.
You never saw the spring,
Watched the leaves unfold;
Never stepped on unsteady legs,
Never thought who you might kiss;
Never grew tall, grew past yourself,
Into yourself and round;
Never found yourself ungainly or graceful;
Never found your own mistakes,
Never scarred yourself into a shape;
Never lingered in the sunlight,
Watching it die, counting your losses;
Never bled and wept for your bleeding,
And more for that of your friend,
Your neighbour, for the lover once loved;
Never knew what it was that you’d mourn,
And to what you’d willingly say goodbye.
You never lived, my darling. Never were.
But your heart beat; for a moment,
It did beat. A moment, just a moment,
And, then — no more.
*e. e. cummings
