Walking, snow falling, it is possible
to focus at various distances
in turn on separate flakes, sharply engage
the attention at several spatial points:
the nearer cold and more uncomfortable,
the farther distanced and almost pleasing.
Living, time passing, it is preferable
to focus the memory in turn upon
the more distant retrospects in order
that the present mind may retain its peace.
Yet knowing that seeing and remembering
are both of course personal illusions.
Living By
Ben Jonson
(1)
Poem topics: memory, peace, snow, time, mind, cold, attention, order, walking, Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
Write your comment about Living By poem by Ben Jonson
Best Poems of Ben Jonson