Part 7 (1/2)

III.--THANKSGIVING

Amazement fills my heart to-night, Amaze and awful fears; I am a s.h.i.+p that sees no light, But blindly onward steers.

Flung toward heaven's toppling rage, Sunk between steep and steep, A lost and wondrous fight I wage With the embattled deep.

I neither know nor care at length Where drives the storm about; Only I summon all my strength And swear to ride it out.

Yet give I thanks; despite these wars, My s.h.i.+p--though blindly blown, Long lost to sun or moon or stars-- Still stands up alone.

I need no trust in borrowed spars; My strength is yet my own.

IV.--ANNIHILATED

Upon the sweltering sea's enormous round, Asmoke, adazzle, brown and brown and gold, A hushed light falls....

Then clouds without a sound Darken the sea within their curtain's fold.

The sombre clouds through which the sick sun climbs Smoke slowly on. Below there is no breath.

The long black beach turns livid.

The sea chimes.

I taste the fulness of my spirit's death.

V.--SHUT OF NIGHT

The sea darkens. Waves roar and rush.

The wind rises. The last birds haste.

One star over eve's bitter flush Spills on the spouting waste.

Loud and louder the darkened sea.

The wind shrills on a monotone.

Sky and deep, wrecked confusedly, Travail and cry as one.

Long I look on the deepening sky, The chill star, the forlorn sea breaking; For what does my spirit cry?

For what is my heart so aching?

Is it home? but I have no home.

Is it tears? but I no more weep.

Is it love? love went by dumb.

Is it sleep? but I would not sleep.