The Poppies

Poem by Alphonse De Lamartine Collection Poetic MeditationsPeriod 19th century

When the evening of life draws near,
Spring casts a sadness on the heart:
From its blossoming basket
Breathes a mocking fragrance.
Of all these flowers it spreads out,
Whose petals love unfolds,
Whose meadows dazzle the eye,
Alas! it is enough to gather
Enough to perfume with a leaf
The pillow of a coffin’s bed.

Gather for me that wild poppy
That grows in the shade of these wheat fields:
They say a drink flows from it
That closes the heavy-laden eyes.
I have watched too long; my soul is weary
Of these dreams that one dream chases away.
What do you want of me, bright spring?
Away from me these lilies and these roses!
What do closed eyelids need?
The flower that keeps sleep!

Alphonse de Lamartine

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