Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FINITE AND INFINITE, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FINITE AND INFINITE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The wind sounds only in opposing straits
Last Line: And rush exultant on the infinite.
Subject(s): Infinity; Soul


THE wind sounds only in opposing straits,
The sea, beside the shore; man's spirit rends
Its quiet only up against the ends
Of wants and oppositions, loves and hates,
Where, worked and worn by passionate debates,
And losing by the loss it apprehends,
The flesh rocks round and every breath it sends
Is ravelled to a sigh. All tortured states
Suppose a straitened place. Jehovah Lord,
Make room for rest, around me! out of sight
Now float me of the vexing land abhorred,
Till in deep calms of space my soul may right
Her nature, shoot large sail on lengthening cord,
And rush exultant on the Infinite.






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