Famous Sad Poem

Poe is describing feelings of desperation and sadness at the passing of time, and comparing it to a dream. He wishes he could hold on to just a moment of his life. He questions if anything in life is real or is it all "but a dream within a dream?"

"A Dream Within a Dream" by Edgar Allan Poe was first published in 1849.

Featured Shared Story

Most of what we learn we learn from others. It is the moments we ourselves have to live and learn that we realize most of what we are taught or preached have been lies. We all have to live...

Read complete story

Share your story! (1)

Famous Poem

A Dream Within A Dream

Edgar Allan Poe By more Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow —
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone? 
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand —
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep — while I weep!
O God! Can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

Advertisement

more Edgar Allan Poe

  • Stories 1
  • Shares 4318
  • Favorited 79
  • Votes 1064
  • Rating 4.47
  • Poem of the Week
  • Poem of the Day
Read More Famous Sad Poems
Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Zac by Zac
  • 8 years ago

Most of what we learn we learn from others. It is the moments we ourselves have to live and learn that we realize most of what we are taught or preached have been lies. We all have to live and learn.

I feel Poe had that feeling whilst claiming, "All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream."

Reply
Related Categories

Back to Top