The Fly

Songs of Innocence and of Experience, 1794

Little Fly,Thy summer’s playMy thoughtless handHas brushed away.

Am not IA fly like thee?Or art not thouA man like me?

For I dance,And drink, and sing,Till some blind handShall brush my wing.

If thought is lifeAnd strength and breath,And the wantOf thought is death;

Then am IA happy fly.If I live,Or if I die.

From Songs of Innocence and of Experience, via the English Wikisource transcription (1826 edition).

Public domainThis poem is in the public domain. You may read it, copy it, recite it and publish it without asking anyone.