IN the sight of God all-seeing Once a handful of loose foam Played upon the sea of being, Like a child about its home: In his smile it shone delighted, Danced beneath his swaying hand, But at last was cast benighted On the cold and alien land. Can it wait till waves returning Bear it to its parent breast? Can it bear the noontide's burning, Dwelling Earth's contented guest? Oh! no, -- it will filter slowly Through the hard ungenial shore, Till each particle be wholly In the deep absorbed once more. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO AMERICA by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON FOR MY OWN TOMBSTONE by MATTHEW PRIOR A LEGEND OF BREGENZ by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER SONNET: 8 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE THE BARTHOLDI STATUE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER THE FUNERAL TREE OF THE SOKOKIS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER A FINE DAY ON LOUGH SWILLY by WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1824-1911) PSALM 7; UPON WORDS OF CHUSH THE BENJAMITE; AUGUST 14, 1653 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |