Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FATA MORGANA by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS

First Line: I SEE THEE IN THE WATER CLEAR
Last Line: AND YET -- I SEE THEE NOT.
I SEE thee in the water clear,
When from its depths doth rise
Thy image, as an angel pure,
And slays me in this guise.

Within my breast I see thee oft
Upon an altar stand;
Before it lie in anguish wild,
And death would fain command.

I see thee in the rose's pomp,
In snow-white lily leaf;
'Gainst them my burning eyes I press,
And weep out all my grief.

I see thy face in every star,
In floating veil of mist;
In morning's dawn and sunset glow
Thy semblance doth exist.

I see thee in the azure sky,
Moonlight and sunshine hot;
I see thee in the hour of death,
And yet -- I see thee not.



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