IN the sight of God all-seeing Once a handful of loose foam Played upon the sea of being, Like a child about its home: In his smile it shone delighted, Danced beneath his swaying hand, But at last was cast benighted On the cold and alien land. Can it wait till waves returning Bear it to its parent breast? Can it bear the noontide's burning, Dwelling Earth's contented guest? Oh! no, -- it will filter slowly Through the hard ungenial shore, Till each particle be wholly In the deep absorbed once more. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A HYMN FOR PROCESSION WITH CROSS AND BANNERS by SABINE BARING-GOULD INVOCATION [TO LOVE] by WILLIAM DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN WHEN ON THE MARGE OF EVENING by LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY THE BROKEN FIELD by SARA TEASDALE THE COMMONPLACE by WALT WHITMAN |