Quote by Dorothy Parker, Absence

I never thought that heav'n would lose its blue And sullen storm-clouds mask the gentle sky; I never thought the rose's velvet hue Would pale and sicken, though we said good-by. I never dreamed the lark would hush its note As day succeeded ever-drearier day, Nor knew the song that swelled the robin's throat Would fade to silence, when you went away. I never knew the sun's irradiant beams Upon the brooding earth no more would shine, Nor thought that only in my mocking dreams Would happiness that once I knew be mine. I never thought the slim moon, mournfully, Would shroud her pallid self in murky night. Dear heart, I never thought these things would be-I never thought they would, and I was right.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker expresses their disbelief and refusal to accept the negative changes in the world after a significant loss. They never anticipated that the once beautiful and vibrant elements of nature, like the blue sky, blooming roses, singing larks, and happy robins, would turn dull and silent. They never expected that the sun would lose its radiance, happiness would become elusive, and even the moon would lose its glow. However, ultimately, the speaker affirms their initial intuition that these undesirable circumstances would not occur, suggesting a sense of disillusionment and resignation with the reality they now face.