My New Favorite Sonnet

XII.


When I do count the clock that tells the time,
And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;
When I behold the violet past prime,
And sable curls all silver'd o'er with white;
When lofty trees I see barren of leaves
Which erst from heat did canopy the herd,
And summer's green all girded up in sheaves
Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard,
Then of thy beauty do I question make,
That thou among the wastes of time must go,
Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake
And die as fast as they see others grow;
And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence
Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.

- William Shakespeare

The last six lines just take my breath away. The line, "that thou among the wastes of time must go", captures the feeling and regret when one is realizes the power of time, moving inexorably. It is a rare beauty that summons such courage. Once more Shakespeare demonstrates his greatness.