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...OFFERING by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON IN A SWEDISH GRAVEYARD by EMMA LAZARUS CAMOMILE TEA by KATHERINE MANSFIELD SONG BY THE WINDOW BEFORE BED by KATHERINE MANSFIELD COUNSEIL TO A BACHELER by MARIANNE MOORE |