A thing of beauty is a joy for ever

John Keats

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the unhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits…

About This Poem

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever is an extract from Endymion by John Keats, one of the great English Romantic poets. Written in the early nineteenth century, it reflects on how beauty, in nature and in human goodness, can steady us through sorrow and dark days. The tone is calm, lyrical, and quietly uplifting, making it a thoughtful funeral poem about comfort and hope.

This reading can be especially fitting for someone who loved the natural world, art, music, or found meaning in small, everyday moments. It suits both secular and religious services, as its message is universal, and it works well during a main reflection or a moment of pause between tributes. For mourners, it offers reassurance that even in grief, beauty can remain, bringing rest, perspective, and gentle healing.

Helpful Information