Classic Poem

Steadily, silently sweeping on
Overhead in the azure sky,
Massy white in the August sun,
Freighted full as an argosy,
Changeless and mystical cloudlets three,
What are ye bearing away from me?

Lying here in the prairie grass,
Kissed by zephyr and spray and stem,
Light and shadow above me pass;
Minutes and hours they pass with them.
Steadily, silently out to sea
Ye are bearing my lifetime away from me.

There was a spirit that loved me well,
A face of beauty, a form how dear!
But slowly passes the golden spell,
And ever dimmer the charms appear.
Why, ah! why, should ye bear to sea
The love that has brightened all life to me?

Visions I had in the days gone by
Brighter than ever on earth were known,
Aspirations supremely high,
Hopes, bright budded, that ne'er were blown.
Mine, I said, shall be wealth and fame,
Wreath of laurel and heart of flame.

Mine to strive for the weal of man,
Mine to labor and live and learn!
Ah, 'twas regal that boyish plan!
But now I scarcely can even yearn.
Why should I struggle with destiny?
Bear ye my visions away from me.

Slowly but surely the sultry glare
Drains the life-blood from out the earth.
I have only a man's poor share;
Take the tribute for what 'tis worth.
Yet fain would I stay ye, for well I see
Ye are bearing my spirit away from me.

Ah, 'tis pity to see them go,—
Life, hope, spirit, and all depart!
And half in dreaming I seem to know
There's something fearful about your art.
Yet why should I struggle with destiny?
The best of things is to breathe and be.