Poetry Thursday - The More Loving One, by WH Auden

The More Loving One

- W.H. Auden (1907-1973)

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That, for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.

How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.




The poem was recommended by Alexander McCall Smith when he answered readers' questions in a short video in April 2020. 


In this short video, he reads a very short story from his latest collection.