There was a time when in late afternoon <br />The four-o'clocks would fold up at day's close <br />Pink-white in prayer, and 'neath the floating moon <br />I lay with them in calm and sweet repose. <br /> <br />And in the open spaces I could sleep, <br />Half-naked to the shining worlds above; <br />Peace came with sleep and sleep was long and deep, <br />Gained without effort, sweet like early love. <br /> <br />But now no balm--nor drug nor weed nor wine-- <br />Can bring true rest to cool my body's fever, <br />Nor sweeten in my mouth the acid brine, <br />That salts my choicest drink and will forever.<br /><br />Claude McKay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/adolescence/
