Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LOOKING EAST, by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LOOKING EAST, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Little white clouds, why are you flying
Last Line: Many may love thee -- I'll love them too
Alternate Author Name(s): Mulock, Dinah Maria


LITTLE white clouds, why are you flying
Over the sky so blue and cold?
Fair faint hopes, why are you lying
Over my heart like a white cloud's fold?

Slender green leaves, why are you peeping
Out of the ground where the snow yet lies?
Toying west wind, why are you creeping
Like a child's breath across my eyes?

Hope and terror by turns consuming,
Lover and friend put far from me, --
What should I do with the bright spring, coming
Like an angel over the sea?

Over the cruel sea that parted
Me from mine own, and rolls between; --
Out of the woful east, whence darted
Heaven's full quiver of vengeance keen.

Day teaches day, night whispers morning --
"Hundreds are weeping their dead, while thou
Weeping thy living -- Rise, be adorning
Thy brows, unwidowed, with smiles." -- But how?

O, had he married me! -- unto anguish,
Hardship, sickness, peril, and pain;
That on my breast his head might languish
In lonely jungle or scorching plain;

O, had we stood on some rampart gory,
Till he -- ere Horror behind us trod --
Kissed me, and killed me -- so, with his glory
My soul went happy and pure to God!

Nay, nay, Heaven pardon me! me, sick-hearted,
Living this long, long life-in-death:
Many there are far wider parted
Who under one roof-tree breathe one breath.

But we that loved -- whom one word half broken
Had drawn together close soul to soul
As lip to lip -- and it was not spoken,
Nor may be while the world's ages roll.

I sit me down with my tears all frozen:
I drink my cup, be it gall or wine:
For I know, if he lives, I am his chosen --
I know, if he dies, that he is mine.

If love in its silence be greater, stronger
Than million promises, sighs, or tears --
I will wait upon Him a little longer
Who holdeth the balance of our years.

Little white clouds, like angels flying,
Bring the spring with you across the sea --
Loving or losing, living or dying,
Many may love thee -- I'll love them too






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net