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John B. Tabb Quotes

Poet

John B. Tabb was an American poet born on March 22, 1845, and died on November 19, 1909. His poetry is known for its emotional sincerity and beautiful language, making a significant impact on the development of American poetry.

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All Blue Clouds Dew Flower Hummingbirds Seeds Alas Ashes Babe Bees

Famous John B. Tabb Quotes

“A flash of harmless lightning, A mist of rainbow dyes. The burnished sunbeams brightening From flower to flower he flies; While wakes the nodding blossom But just too late to see What lip hath touched her bosom And drained her rosary.”

Birds Hummingbirds John B Tabb The Hummingbird

Book:Poems

Source: Poems

“Out of the dusk a shadow, Then a spark; Out of the cloud a silence, Then a lark; Out of the heart a rapture, Then a pain; Out of the dead, cold ashes, Life again.”

Heart Pain Silence Cold Evolution Shadow Clouds Sparks Ashes Rapture Dusk Larks

Book:Poems by John B Tabb

Source: Poems by John B Tabb

“Hush! With sudden gush As from a fountain sings in yonder bush The Hermit Thrush.”

Fountain Hush Hermits Hush Hush Thrush

Author:John B. Tabb

“Why should I stay? Nor seed nor fruit have I, But, sprung at once to beauty's perfect round, Nor loss nor gain nor change in me is found, - A life-complete in death-complete to die.”

Should Dies Found Loss Perfect Gains Fruit Rounds Seeds Should I Sprung

Author:John B. Tabb

“A flash of harmless lightning, A mist of rainbow dyes, The burnished sunbeams brightening From flower to flower he flies.”

Flower Flash Lightning Rainbow Mist Humming Sunbeams Hummingbirds

Book:Poems by John B Tabb

Source: Poems by John B Tabb

“And pray, who are you?" Said the Violet blue To the Bee, with surprise, At his wonderful size, In her eyeglass of dew. "I, madam," quoth he, "Am a publican Bee, Collecting the tax Of honey and wax. Have you nothing for me?”

Said Wonderful Praying Taxes Summer Blue Surprise Size Honey Bees Violet Collecting July Dew Eyeglasses

Author:John B. Tabb

“In every seed to breathe a flower, In every drop of dew To reverence a cloister star Within the distant blue; To wait the promise of the how, Despite the cloud between, Is Faith-the fervid evidence Of loneliness unseen.”

Faith Stars Waiting Loneliness Flower Promise Evidence Blue Clouds Breathe Seeds Despite Reverence Unseen Dew Feeling Lonely

Author:John B. Tabb

“Are ye the ghosts of fallen leaves, O flakes of snow, For which, through naked trees, the winds A-mourning go?”

Tree Wind Winter Ghost Snow Naked Fallen Mourning Flakes Fallen Leaves

Book:Poems by John B Tabb

Source: Poems by John B Tabb

“Alas! dear Joy, the merriest, is dead. But I have wed Peace ; and our babe, a boy, New-born, is Joy.”

Joy Born Boys Dear Alas Babe

Book:Poems by John B Tabb

Source: Poems by John B Tabb

About the Author

Born: March 22, 1845
Died: November 19, 1909
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 9

Books & Sources

Poems by John B TabbRelated source material

PoemsRelated source material

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