Eternity Poem by William Blake

Eternity

Rating: 3.5


He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy;
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sun rise.

Eternity
Friday, January 3, 2003
Topic(s) of this poem: joy
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Gary Kuss 02 April 2007

This is a magical poem. I was introduced to this poem via the 'School of Philosophy' when we were discussing 'attachment'. As human, we are all too ready to take the credit for our actions, whereas we need to take the attitude that we just simply act. Be willing to act and then detach yourself from the outcome of the action. This is what the poem is telling us to do in its lovely style of verse.

14 7 Reply
Sangeetha Pandaram 24 May 2006

I just love this poem... its strange it just gets better with age. I recall memorising it when I was a teenager... and now years later, it begins to have so much meaning.

9 5 Reply
Godfrey Morris 21 February 2015

Such a powerful write.

7 5 Reply
Terry Hare 10 December 2015

I am grateful for Blake's words The best gifts are not buyable Isaac Watts wrote these well loved words in the 18th Century JOY to the World! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing...

4 4 Reply
Dinah Kudatsky 11 March 2017

Blake's poem, Eternity is gorgeous and powerful. Unfortunately, the AUDIO version above is completely unworthy - robotic, ridiculous, and oh so wrong.

7 1 Reply
Dr Dillip K Swain 09 May 2021

Typo: gladly kisses

0 0 Reply
Dr Dillip K Swain 09 May 2021

I can't agree more. Yes, he lives in eternity's sunrise who gladly kiss little joys that fly like butterflies.

1 0 Reply
Steve Tabor 16 November 2020

Can anyone state what year this was written? I can't find it on Google. Steve Tabor desert609aol

0 0 Reply
Solomon Senxer 13 September 2019

Wow! Can a short poem like this inspire so much? Greatly motivated!

1 0 Reply
Tayma Kheir 10 April 2018

Really loved it but it’s short

0 0 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Close
Error Success