Alone! Alone! No beacon, far or near! No chart, no compass, and no anchor stay! Like melting fog, the mirage melts away In all-surrounding darkness, void and clear, Drifting, I spread vain hands, and vainly peer, And vainly call for pilot -- weep and pray; Beyond these limits not the faintest ray Shows the distant coast whereto the lost may steer. O what is Life, if we must hold it thus, As wind-blown sparks hold momentary fire? What are these gifts without the larger boon? O what is Art, or Wealth, or Fame to us Who scarce have time to know what we desire? O what is Love, if we must part so soon? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HER LIKENESS by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK THE MAY MAGNIFICAT by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE ROMANCE OF THE LILY by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES REDFIELD FARM, MICHIGAN by HERBERT BUCKLEN BRADY SAVAGES by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN THE PITCHER by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN VERIS ET FAVONI by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN |