Poem A Day

Classic poem

And You, Helen

by Edward Thomas

AND you, Helen, what should I give you?

So many things I would give you

Had I an infinite great store

Offered me and I stood before

To choose. I would give you youth,

All kinds of loveliness and truth,

A clear eye as good as mine,

Lands, waters, flowers, wine,

As many children as your heart

Might wish for, a far better art

Than mine can be, all you have lost

Upon the travelling waters tossed,

Or given to me. If I could choose

Freely in that great treasure-house

Anything from any shelf,

I would give you back yourself,

And power to discriminate

What you want and want it not too late,

Many fair days free from care

And heart to enjoy both foul and fair,

And myself, too, if I could find

Where it lay hidden and it proved kind.

naturelovebeautyidentitytimechoice
Public domain/Source

About this poem

First line
AND you, Helen, what should I give you?
Poet
Edward Thomas
Themes
nature, love, beauty, identity

Poem A Day

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