The Fly

Little Fly,
Thy summer's play
My thoughtless hand
Has brushed away.
Am not I
A fly like thee?
Or art not thou
A man like me?
For I dance
And drink, and sing,
Till some blind hand
Shall brush my wing.
If thought is life
And strength and breath
And the want
Of thought is death,
Then am I
A happy fly,
If I live,
Or if I die.

About Robert Browning

English poet and playwright best known for his dramatic monologues. Married to fellow poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

More poems by Robert Browning

View all Robert Browning poems →

More Life & Death poems

View all Life & Death poems →