'The Weakest Thing' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1844)

Poetry

The Weakest Thing

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1844)

Which is the weakest thing of all Mine heart can ponder? The sun, a little cloud can pall With darkness yonder? The cloud, a little wind can move Where’er it listeth? The wind, a little leaf above, Though sere, resisteth? What time that yellow leaf was green, My days were gladder; But now, whatever Spring may mean, I must grow sadder. Ah me! a leaf with sighs can wring My lips asunder — Then is mine heart the weakest thing Itself can ponder. Yet, Heart, when sun and cloud are pined And drop together, And at a blast, which is not wind, The forests wither, Thou, from the darkening deathly curse To glory breakest, — The Strongest of the universe Guarding the weakest!


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