|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ILLUSIONS, by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON Poet's Biography
First Line: Go stand at night upon an ocean craft
Last Line: Sweep on serene the old unenvious stars!
Subject(s): Life
First Line: Go stand at night upon an ocean craft
Last Line: Sweep on serene the old unenvious stars!
Subject(s): Life
Go stand at night upon an ocean craft,
And watch the folds of its imperial train
Catching in fleecy foam a thousand glows--
A miracle of fire unquenched by sea.
There in bewildering turbulence of change
Whirls the whole firmament, till as you gaze,
All else unseen, it is as heaven itself
Had lost its poise, and each unanchored star
In phantom haste flees to the horizon line.
What dupes we are of the deceiving eye!
How many a light men wonderingly acclaim
Is but the phosphor of the path Life makes
With its own motion, while above, forgot,
Sweep on serene the old unenvious stars!
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
PRIVILEGE OF BEING by ROBERT HASS
SEAWATER STIFFENS CLOTH by JANE HIRSHFIELD
SAYING YES TO LIVING by DAVID IGNATOW
THE WORLD IS SO DIFFICULT TO GIVE UP by DAVID IGNATOW
AN ENGLISH MOTHER by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON