We are curse-laden: even amid our yearnings' loftiest flight We by burden of earth are vanquished, plunged into our blood's dim night -- "Ye are potent and deathless; and in your souls where secrets abound, Suns and springtides and vintages numberless are found." In silence of cosmos, in midst of stars, that are flecked with blood as they wane, We are cut off in solitude, as by watch-fires of foes in a chain. "Armor of heavily-armed is your burden; unto contest ye Are summoned, that ye therein may set all earth-born creatures free." Upon the riven breast of the vanquished we strive to kneel. And even when we yearn to love, no love we feel, no love we feel. "Hardened are ye like fruit, unripened; but in the blaze Of a secret summer ye ripen, your breathren's embraces to praise." Gladness is sunshine beheld in a dream: on awakening it is dulled; Sorrow has thousands of eyes, and never in slumber is utterly lulled. "With myriads in secret brotherhood ye are tied And only in gladness of myriads will gladness of yours abide." To floating islands upon a furrow of fragrance we float -- We float and the islands float onward, and keep us ever remote -- "Blindfold are ye with deceit that your kingly glances wield: Islands of radiance that bloom in your souls, before you they have revealed." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A NEGRO LOVE SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR HOME by LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA INTROSPECTION by GEORGE ARNOLD THE STORM OF WAR by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD TO THE PREACHERS ON ARMISTICE DAY by VINCENT GODFREY BURNS EULOGY by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON BLOWING BUBBLES by BEATRICE PAULA BYRNES LINES SUGGESTED BY THE FOURTEENTH OF FEBRUARY (2) by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY |