Oh why is heaven built so far, Oh why is earth set so remote? I cannot reach the nearest star That hangs afloat. I would not care to reach the moon, One round monotonous of change; Yet even she repeats her tune Beyond my range. I never watch the scatter'd fire Of stars, or sun's far-trailing train, But all my heart is one desire, And all in vain: For I am bound with fleshly bands, Joy, beauty, lie beyond my scope; I strain my heart, I stretch my hands, And catch at hope. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INVITATION TO A PAINTER: 3 by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM OFFERING by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ACROSS THE RED SKY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD THE BEAST OF BURDEN by MARIANNE MOORE SOTTO VOCE; TO EDWARD THOMAS by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE TO JOHN DONNE (2) by BEN JONSON TO THE RIVER CHARLES by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW |