(No.58 of my favourite short poems)
My drawing of Auden as he was in 1970 – 2001 ©
The More Loving One
Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That, for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.
How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.
Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.
Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.
W. H. Auden (1907 – 1973)
Roland's Ragbag 
I like this Roland, a different take on the perennial theme of stars. For me the first two verses clinch it.
Thank you
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Thanks for responding, Nigel. At the time, Auden was having to play second fiddle to his (male) partner’s affections for other men.
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Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem with us Roland. I am bemused at first by the first lines, being fond of looking at the stars and feeling joy from it. However, I get to see the tenderness and deep understanding of love in the second stanza.
The two last lines leaves me quiet inside. Quite a poem.
miriam
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Thank you, Miriam. There is a sadness behind Auden’s words as he had, at times, to take second place in his relationship.
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Auden was a very complex character Roland and he shows this in his poem. I like the artwork as most pictures of Auden are from his earlier years. An enjoyable post to start the week.
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Thanks for commenting Davy. Yes, complicated indeed. Perhaps that’s a prerequisite of being a good poet?
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It does seem that way Roland. All the greats seem to have walked the fine line between genius and madness.
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