We lack, yet cannot fix upon the lack: Not this, nor that; yet somewhat, certainly. We see the things we do not yearn to see Around us: and what see we glancing back? Lost hopes that leave our hearts upon the rack, Hopes that were never ours yet seemed to be, For which we steered on life's salt stormy sea Braving the sunstroke and the frozen pack. If thus to look behind is all in vain, And all in vain to look to left or right, Why face we not our future once again, Launching with hardier hearts across the main, Straining dim eyes to catch the invisible sight, And strong to bear ourselves in patient pain? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DANTE by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE NEED OF BEING VERSED IN COUNTRY THINGS by ROBERT FROST TERNISSA, FR HELLENICS by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR DEWEY IN MANILA BAY [MAY 1, 1898] by RICHARD VORHEES RISLEY IN TEMPTATION by CHARLES WESLEY THE MERRIMAC by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |