Living

The Awakening

by Paul Laurence Dunbar 1872–1906

Living

I did not know that life could be so sweet,
I did not know the hours could speed so fleet,
Till I knew you, and life was sweet again.
The days grew brief with love and lack of pain--

I was a slave a few short days ago,
The powers of Kings and Princes now I know;
I would not be again in bondage, save
I had your smile, the liberty I crave.

MLA

Dunbar, Paul Laurence. “The Awakening.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/paul-laurence-dunbar/357/.

Chicago

Dunbar, Paul Laurence. “The Awakening.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/paul-laurence-dunbar/357/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Paul Laurence Dunbar