MY heart is like a withered nut, <br />Rattling within its hollow shell; <br />You cannot ope my breast, and put <br />Any thing fresh with it to dwell. <br />The hopes and dreams that filled it when <br />Life's spring of glory met my view, <br />Are gone! and ne'er with joy or pain <br />That shrunken heart shall swell anew. <br /> <br />My heart is like a withered nut; <br />Once it was soft to every touch, <br />But now 'tis stern and closely shut;-- <br />I would not have to plead with such. <br />Each light-toned voice once cleared my brow, <br />Each gentle breeze once shook the tree <br />Where hung the sun-lit fruit, which now <br />Lies cold, and stiff, and sad, like me! <br /> <br />My heart is like a withered nut-- <br />It once was comely to the view; <br />But since misfortune's blast hath cut, <br />It hath a dark and mournful hue. <br />The freshness of its verdant youth <br />Nought to that fruit can now restore; <br />And my poor heart, I feel in truth, <br />Nor sun, nor smile shall light it more!<br /><br />Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-heart-is-like-a-withered-nut/
