by Wilfred Owen (1893 - 1918)
My shy hand
Language: English
My shy hand shades a hermitage apart, -- O large enough for thee, and thy brief hours. Life there is sweeter held than in God's heart, Stiller than in the heavens of hollow flowers. The wine is gladder there than in gold bowls. And Time shall not drain thence, nor trouble spill. Sources between my fingers feed all souls, Where thou mayest cool thy lips, and draw thy fill. Five cushions hath my hand, for reveries; And one deep pillow for thy brow's fatigues; Languor of June all winterlong, and ease For ever from the vain untravelled leagues. Thither your years may gather in from storm, And Love, that sleepeth there, will keep thee warm.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilfred Owen (1893 - 1918), "My shy hand", from Poems, first published 1931 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Bernard P. Langley , "My shy hand", 1970-2. [tenor and orchestra or piano] [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-10-18
Line count: 14
Word count: 114