Classic Poem

I SHALL not care if I shall live no more,
As men know life, as I myself have known.
The waves that race so hard to reach the shore —
They break, and backward to their deep are thrown.
They are not, yet they are — become the Sea ...
I lose my life, but Life will not lose me!

I shall not care if I shall love no more,
As time knows love, and, ah, as I have known!
The fire goes out and open lies the door
When summer's high ascendant sun has shone ...
My little fire of love burned bright, burned free —
How greater, midst the Sun of Love to be!