IF, then, our life is shorter than a day Lost in all time; if the revolving year Hurries our days past hope to reappear; If all things born must fail and pass away-- What, O my prisoned soul, dost dream of? Say! Why so much love our days of darkness here, If to take flight to an abode more dear, Well-feathered wings you on your shoulders sway? There is the good which every soul desires, There the repose to which the world aspires, And there is love and pleasure evermore. There, O my soul, rapt to the highest skies, You will in actual substance recognize Th' ideal beauty which I now adore. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HIS CONTENT IN THE COUNTRY by ROBERT HERRICK THE EAGLE THAT IS FORGOTTEN by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY PRAYER OF COLUMBUS by WALT WHITMAN THE ROSE'S MESSAGE by MARY WINCHESTER ABBOTT THE LOAN by SABINE BARING-GOULD THE WHITE ROAD UP ATHIRT THE HILL by WILLIAM BARNES A MOUNTAIN SOUL (KATHARINE COMAN) by KATHARINE LEE BATES |