The Gardener 40: an Unbelieving Smile
The Gardener 40: an Unbelieving Smile - meaning Summary
Farewell with Playful Doubt
The poem addresses a farewell between lovers that is half-serious, half-playful. The speaker admits his repeated departures and returns, comparing them to cyclical natural events—spring, the full moon, flowering—that suggest recurrence rather than finality. He asks the beloved to indulge the pretense of permanent parting by showing a brief, tender sorrow, then to receive his inevitable return with a teasing smile. The tone mixes confession, irony, and affectionate ritual.
Read Complete AnalysesAn unbelieving smile flits on your eyes when I come to you to take my leave. I have done it so often that you think I will soon return. To tell you the truth I have the same doubt in my mind. For the spring days come again time after time; The full moon takes leave and comes on another visit, the flowers come again and blush upon their branches year after year, and it is likely that I take my leave only to come to you again. But keep the illusion awhile; Do not send it away with ungentle haste. When I say I leave you for all time, accept it as true, and let a mist of tears for one moment deepen the dark rim of your eyes. Then smile as archly as you like when I come again.
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