I would achieve—through long trails of purpose, A far goal ... Then some chill inhibition Steals over me with deadening power— The ghost of an old, long-dead tradition. I would be happy—and with joyful heart Would fling gay carols to the sky above; And lo! a memory obscures the sun— I grope through ashes of a long-lost love. I would be free—with flaming torch of progress To search for truth where ever it be found; When, unawares, an out-grown creed-resurgent, Will shrink my soul with fear ... And I am bound. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UPON DRINKING IN A BOWL by ANACREON SUMMER DAYS by WATHEN MARK WILKS CALL SONGS IN ABSENCE: 7. THE SHIP by ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH THE SPHINX by RALPH WALDO EMERSON NORTH-WEST PASSAGE: 3. IN PORT by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON THE STEAM-ENGINE: CANTO 9: GREAT WESTERN DAYS by T. BAKER TO ADOLPHE GAIFFE by THEODORE FAULLAIN DE BANVILLE |