T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)

Eyes That Last I Saw in Tears (1919)

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Eyes that last I saw in tears
Through division
Here in death’s dream kingdom
The golden vision reappears
I see the eyes but not the tears
This is my affliction

This is my affliction
Eyes I shall not see again
Eyes of decision
Eyes I shall not see unless
At the door of death’s other kingdom
Where, as in this,
The eyes outlast a little while
A little while outlast the tears
And hold us in derision.

Readings

T.S. Eliot: 'Eyes That Last I Saw In Tears' read by Elizabeth McGovern
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