Despair

Ada Cambridge

1844 to 1926

Poem Image

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 pilotweep and pray;
Beyond these limits not the faintest ray
Shows the 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?