Monday, June 4, 2012



The Smile
William Blake

There is a Smile of Love
And there is a Smile of Deceit
And there is a Smile of Smiles
In which these two Smiles meet

And there is a Frown of Hate
And there is a Frown of disdain
And there is a Frown of Frowns
Which you strive to forget in vain

For it sticks in the Hearts deep Core
And it sticks in the deep Back bone
And no Smile that ever was smild
But only one Smile alone

That betwixt the Cradle & Grave
It only once Smild can be
But when it once is Smild
Theres an end to all Misery


[from the Pickering Manuscript, c. 1807]

2 comments:

Maureen said...

Blake may have been the original rapper. There's such rhythm in this.

Dawn Potter said...

Isn't that the truth! Blake is so constantly surprising.