WH Auden Poems

BUT I CAN'T

Time will say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

There are no fortunes to be told, although
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know.

The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why leaves decay;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

Suppose the lions all get up and go,
And all the brroks and soldiers run away;
Will time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could I would let you know.

THE MORE LOVING ONE

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.

How would we like it were stars to burn
with a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of the stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear and die,
I should look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take a little time