O WISH that's vainer than the plash Of these wave-whimsies on the shore: "Give us a pearl to fill the gash -- God, let our dead friend live once more!" O wish that's stronger than the stroke Of yelling wave and snapping levin; "God, lift us o'er the Last Day's smoke, All white, to Thee and her in Heaven!" O wish that's swifter than the race Of wave and wind in sea and sky; Let's take the grave-cloth from her face And fall in the grave, and kiss, and die! Look! High above a glittering calm Of sea and sky and kingly sun, She shines and smiles, and waves a palm -- And now we wish -- Thy will be done! MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, 1866. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...REALITY REQUIRES by WISLAWA SZYMBORSKA BALLADE OF BROKEN FLUTES by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON SONNETS FOR PICTURES: A VENETIAN PASTORAL (BY GIOGIONE) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI IF I ONLY WAS THE FELLOW by WILL S. ADKIN FEAR AND LOVE by EGMONT HEGEL ARENS PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 70, 71. MUKADDIM, MUWAKHIR by EDWIN ARNOLD |