THE melancholy marshes brood In all their rich monotony: Beyond them, in a twilight mood, The more than melancholy sea. A seemly spot for news of death: The message comes, with tidal pain: The ancient faring-forth of breath, The young laid low, the lovely slain. Her life was one that, river-sweet, Across the uplands ran, -- but then Inexorably plunged to meet The under waves that wait for men, The lethal waters, salt and still, Wherover mystery bides; the Vast Whose voice is mystic, and whose will Is stronger than our will at last. * * * * * * * * * The marsh is troubled in its dream By a faint, tremulous stir of air: Is it the passing of the stream, The young fresh soul that was so fair? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ISLAND (SAINT HELENA, 1821) by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE PLAINT OF THE CAMEL by CHARLES EDWARD CARRYL OLNEY HYMNS: 35. LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS by WILLIAM COWPER ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY: THE HYMN by JOHN MILTON TO THE RAILROAD MEN by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS MANCHESTER BY NIGHT by MATHILDE BLIND |