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A Short But Mysterious Poem

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Oh Rose thou art sick

A famous poem by William Blake. It tugs at the fringes of our understanding; we can agree its meaning is important but we each one have a different interpretation of what that is; and we all think anew every time we read it.

O Rose thou art sick. 
The invisible worm, 
That flies in the night 
In the howling storm: 

Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy:
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.

I've always found Blake's accompanying illustration a little odd, and somewhat disturbing






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