The Force That Through The Green Fuse Drives The Flower

The force that through the green fuse drives the

Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of

Is my destroyer.

And I am dumb to tell the crooked

My youth is bent by the same wintry fever.

The force that drives the water through the

Drives my red blood; that dries the mouthing

Turns mine to wax.

And I am dumb to mouth unto my

How at the mountain spring the same mouth sucks.

The hand that whirls the water in the

Stirs the quicksand; that ropes the blowing

Hauls my shroud sail.

And I am dumb to tell the hanging

How of my clay is made the hangman's lime.

The lips of time leech to the fountain head;

Love drips and gathers, but the fallen

Shall calm her sores.

And I am dumb to tell a weather's

How time has ticked a heaven round the stars.

And I am dumb to tell the lover's

How at my sheet goes the same crooked worm.