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Today, on November 21st, 2009, the site contains 196 poets, 8,692 poems and 7,650 comments.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning - Change Upon Change 

Five months ago the stream did flow,
The lilies bloomed within the sedge,
And we were lingering to and fro,
Where none will track thee in this snow,
Along the stream, beside the hedge.
Ah, Sweet, be free to love and go!
For if I do not hear thy foot,
The frozen river is as mute,
The flowers have dried down to the root:
And why, since these be changed since May,
Shouldst thou change less than they.

And slow, slow as the winter snow
The tears have drifted to mine eyes;
And my poor cheeks, five months ago
Set blushing at thy praises so,
Put paleness on for a disguise.
Ah, Sweet, be free to praise and go!
For if my face is turned too pale,
It was thine oath that first did fail, --
It was thy love proved false and frail, --
And why, since these be changed enow,
Should I change less than thou.

Added: on April 25th, 2005 at 2:01 AM | Viewed: 2906 times | Comments (2)


Change Upon Change - Comments and Information

Poet: Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Poem: Change Upon Change

Poem of the Day on:
May 19 2009

Comment 2 of 2, added on September 9th, 2008 at 8:26 PM.

i came across this beautiful poem & i was deeply touched. it does relate to today - which is remarkable considering it was writen over 150 years ago ... that just prooves that the game of love doesn't always change with time - the basic principle is the same - all love (no matter how confident you are) can turn sour...unfortunately. this poem helped me heal a broken heart because now i have proof that it's not just me that feels like this. if she were still alive i would like to say thanks, Ms. Browning for touching my heart !

Kaitlin from United States
Comment 1 of 2, added on April 25th, 2005 at 2:01 AM.

I am a 16 year old girl and browsing for related material for school I came across this poem. It is deep and insightful, with much relevance to relationships today. The speaker in “Change Upon Change” begins speaking optimistically, of a time when everything seems to be going the way it was originally planned. Everything is in accordance to the rightful ways of nature: “the stream did flow, The lilies bloomed within the sedge,” (l.1-2). She then goes on to describe when she and her love were carefree with no one to hassle them or find their love, “Where none will track thee in this snow,” (l.4). It is a time when they are allowed to love and let it show. Things start to change in line 7. The downfall in their relationship is symbolized with winter. The snow has come to dry up the flowers that their loved bloomed, and the river is now frozen. “The tears have drifted to mine eyes;” she mourns over the loss or sudden change in their love. She is no longer happy and bashful, therefore the rosy redness of her blushing has faded. She is now pale and upset. The oath that she took to love this man is now a lie, and her love had faded or become “frail”. The beautiful summer that symbolized their love has been taken over by winter with time.
This is a poem that shows what can happen. It is possible for love to turn sour. This was written in the 19th Century and it is still relevant today.

lauren from Australia

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Poem Info

Change Upon Change

Last read:
2009-11-20 23:58:39
Poem of the Day on:
May 19 2009
Viewed 2906 times.

Added on April 25th, 2005 at 2:01 AM.


Browning Info

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(114 poems)
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