Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HOPE DEFERRED by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907)

First Line: OH, SNOWS SO PURE! OH, PEAKS SO HIGH!
Last Line: I SHALL NOT REACH YOU TILL I DIE!
Subject(s): ADVENTURE AND ADVENTURERS; HOPE; SNOW; OPTIMISM;

OH, snows so pure! oh, peaks so high!
I lift to you a hopeless eye.

I see your icy ramparts drawn
Between the sleepers and the dawn.

I see you, when the sun has set,
Flush with the dying daylight yet.

I see you, passionless and pure,
Above the lightnings stand secure;

But may not climb, for now the hours
Are spring's, and earth a maze of flowers.

And now, 'mid summer's dust and heat,
I stay my steps for childish feet.

And now, when autumn glows, I fear
To lose the harvest of the year.

Now winter frowns, and life runs slow,
Even on the plains I tread thro' snow.

While ye are veiled, or, dimly seen,
Only reveal what might have been;

And where high hope would once aspire
Broods a dark storm-cloud dealing fire.

Oh, snows so pure! oh, peaks so high!
I shall not reach you till I die!



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