Sonnet 44

by William Shakespeare · (no date)
Published 01/07/1880

If the dull substance of my flesh were thought,

Injurious distance should not stop my way;

For then, despite of space, I would be brought,

From limits far remote, where thou dost stay.

No matter then although my foot did stand

Upon the furthest earth remov'd from thee;

For nimble thought can jump both sea and land,

As soon as think the place where he would be.

But, ah! thought kills me that I am not thought,

To leap large lengths of miles when thou art gone,

But that, so much of earth and water wrought,

I must attend time's leisure with my moan;

      Receiving nought by elements so slow

      But heavy tears, badges of either's woe.

#distance #existential yearning #longing #love #melancholy #william shakespeare

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