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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SEA-SHORE GRAVE by SIDNEY LANIER

Poet Analysis

First Line: O WISH THAT'S VAINER THAN THE PLASH
Last Line: MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, 1866.
Subject(s): GRAVES; TOMBS; TOMBSTONES;
O WISH that's vainer than the plash
Of these wave-whimsies on the shore:
"Give us a pearl to fill the gash --
God, let our dead friend live once more!"
O wish that's stronger than the stroke
Of yelling wave and snapping levin;
"God, lift us o'er the Last Day's smoke,
All white, to Thee and her in Heaven!"
O wish that's swifter than the race
Of wave and wind in sea and sky;
Let's take the grave-cloth from her face
And fall in the grave, and kiss, and die!
Look! High above a glittering calm
Of sea and sky and kingly sun,
She shines and smiles, and waves a palm --
And now we wish -- Thy will be done!
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, 1866.



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