Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN OLD IDEA, by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN OLD IDEA, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Stream of my life, dull, placid river, flow
Last Line: Until it widen to the open seas.
Alternate Author Name(s): Mulock, Dinah Maria


STREAM of my life, dull, placid river, flow!
I have no fear of the ingulfing seas:
Neither I look before me nor behind,
But, lying mute with wave-dipped hand, float on.

It was not always so. My brethren, see
This oar-stained, trembling palm. It keeps the sign
Of youth's mad wrestling with the waves that drift
Immutably, eternally along.

I would have had them flow through fields and flowers,
Giving and taking freshness, perfume, joy;
It winds through -- here. Be silent, O my soul!
-- The finger of God's wisdom drew its line.

So I lean back and look up to the stars,
And count the ripples circling to the shore,
And watch the solemn river rolling on
Until it widen to the open seas.






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