Despair
Born 11/21/1844
Alone! Alone! No beacon, far or near!
No chart, no compass, and no anchor stay!
Like melting fog the mirage melts away
In all-surrounding darkness, void and clear.
Drifting, I spread vain hands, and vainly peer
And vainly call for pilot, -- weep and pray;
Beyond these limits not the faintest ray
Shows distant coast whereto the lost may steer.
O what is life, if we must hold it thus
As wind-blown sparks hold momentary fire?
What are these gifts without the larger boon?
O what is art, or wealth, or fame to us
Who scarce have time to know what we desire?
O what is love, if we must part so soon?
DayPoems Poem No. 870
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/870.html">Despair by Ada Cambridge</a>
The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor
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