The poem
Time will say nothing but I told you so, / Time only knows the price we have to pay; / If I could tell you I would let you know./
If we should weep when clowns put on their show, / If we should stumble when musicians play, / Time will say nothing but I told you so./
There are no fortunes to be told, although, / Because I love you more than I can say, / If I could tell you I would let you know./
The winds must come from somewhere when they blow, / There must be reasons why the leaves decay; / Time will say nothing but I told you so./
Perhaps the roses really want to grow, / The vision seriously intends to stay; / If I could tell you I would let you know./
Suppose the lions all get up and go, / And the brooks and soldiers run away; / Will Time say nothing but I told you so? / If I could tell you I would let you know./ ~W.H. Auden (october 1940)