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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NOWHERE AND ONWARD by THOMAS STURGE MOORE

First Line: THERE IS NO REASON WE SHOULD WRITE
Last Line: OLD KINGS WOULD PRIZE AT A GREAT WAR'S COST.

THERE is no reason we should write,
Or read, or speak, or sing, to-night;
Profusely starred the sky awaits us,
Our souls may thitherward take their flight.

No one alone, nor three, nor four,
Nor any counted number more,
Can make of thought such rapt keen joyance
As thrills two voyaging towards no shore.

Twin spirits cleave the vast of air
Best if their bodies do not stir:
Come, breast the stillness, and on and ever
Dip at a moment and rise a pair!

Birds, cleaving either night or day,
Flit one before, one after; they
Straggle, form clots or clouds, but never
Keep pace when flying; be that our way.

Though toil and zeal be often crossed,
No tick of time enjoyed is lost;
One hour replete with satisfaction
Old kings would prize at a great war's cost.



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