Two wild rose petals from a single stem, Where some great glory nurtured them, Were wafted in their final dream Toward limpid waters of a mountain stream: Thus each one sought a place in falling Which would complete its final calling. One chose to ride the current's driving rift With rippling glide toward foamy drift, To swift cascade or shady pool Where weeping birch or penciled willows drool, Until it left the river's cool enchanting And danced the waves of ocean panting. At last awake, then in its bitterness It cursed the water's salt caress, And curling in a purple ball Sank underneath the sea to end it all. Above, a bubble bursting in emotion, Released its sob, but did not stir the ocean. The other sought an eddy gay and bright Which swirled beneath noonday and night In rhythm near the parent stem Where some great glory nurtured each of them, And watched, and thanked that stream beguiling Because it dreamed its dream there smiling. Content it slipped beneath the mirrored stream A bit, and rested still at dream. Above, no bubble burst in strife: -- But purple yet it gleamed a happy life To those who watched above it, swinging In rhythm to its final singing. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NIGHT AND DAY: 2 by ISAAC ROSENBERG SHERIDAN'S RIDE [DECEMBER 19, 1864] by THOMAS BUCHANAN READ PASSAGE TO INDIA by WALT WHITMAN THE HYMNARY: 361. ST. JOHN BAPTIST by BEDE ANOTHER SPRING by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN SONNET: 3 by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES |