Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, STRANGERS YET, by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

STRANGERS YET, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Strangers yet! / after years of life together
Last Line: Strangers yet!
Alternate Author Name(s): Houghton, 1st Baron; Houghton, Lord
Subject(s): Relationships; Strangers


STRANGERS yet!
After years of life together,
After fair and stormy weather,
After travel in far lands,
After touch of wedded hands, --
Why thus joined? Why ever met,
If they must be strangers yet?

Strangers yet!
After childhood's winning ways,
After care and blame and praise,
Counsel asked and wisdom given,
After mutual prayers to Heaven,
Child and parent scarce regret
When they part -- are strangers yet.

Strangers yet!
After strife for common ends --
After title of "old friends,"
After passions fierce and tender,
After cheerful self-surrender,
Hearts may beat and eyes be met,
And the souls be strangers yet.

Strangers yet!
Oh! the bitter thought to scan
All the loneliness of man: --
Nature, by magnetic laws,
Circle unto circle draws,
But they only touch when met,
Never mingle -- strangers yet.

Strangers yet!
Will it evermore be thus --
Spirits still impervious?
Shall we never fairly stand
Soul to soul as hand to hand?
Are the bounds eternal set
To retain us -- strangers yet?

Strangers yet!
Tell not Love it must aspire
Unto something other -- higher:
God himself were loved the best
Were our sympathies at rest,
Rest above the strain and fret
Of the world of -- strangers yet!
Strangers yet!





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