Anna Cottage

W. H. Auden   Born February 21, 1907  York   –   Died September 29, 1973  Vienna, Austria

English Poet who later became an American Citizen

 

“If I Could Tell You”

Time will say nothing but I told you so

Time only knows the price we have to pay;

If I could tell you I would let you know

 

If we should weep when clowns put on their show,

If we should stumble when musicians play,

Time will say but I told you so.

 

There are no fortunes to be told, although,

Because I love you more than I can say,

If I could tell you I would let you know.

 

The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,

There must be reason why the leaves decay;

Time will say nothing but I told you so.

 

Perhaps the roses really want to grow,

The vision seriously intends to stay;

If I could tell you I would let you know.

 

Suppose the lions all get up and go,

And the brooks and soldiers run away;

Will time say nothing but I told you so?

If I could tell you I would let you know.