Classic Poem

A STATELY ship sailed brave and free
Upon the sparkling summer sea,
The light winds blew caressingly.

The same winds blew a summer cloud,
Soft, white and warm, a lovely shroud,
Enfolding waves that were too proud.

On came the ship; the cloud she cleft:
It parted, then like one bereft
Closed over all; no sea was left.

A moment still the spotless sails
Are bright with sunshine, naught avails;
She hastens on, till all sight fails.

Gone, gone, we say, and draw a sigh.
What! gone? my spirit makes reply,
Because we see not, you and I?

Who knows her new and vast expanse
Of sunlit sea, where wavelets dance
And stars are aiding her advance.

If we but see with eyes of faith,
If we could hear, the Spirit saith
The sea is life, the cloud is death.