Quis Separabit?

By Philip Joseph Holdsworth

1/12/1849-1/19/1902

All my life's short years had been stern and sterile --
         I stood like one whom the blasts blow back --
As with shipmen whirled through the straits of Peril,
         So fierce foes menaced my every track.

But I steeled my soul to a strong endeavour,
         I bared my brow as the sharp strokes fell,
And I said to my heart -- "Hope on! Hope ever:
         Have Courage -- Courage, and all is well."

Then, bright as the blood in my heart's rich chalice,
         O Blossom, Blossom! -- you came from far;
And life rang joy, till the World's loud malice
         Shrilled to the edge of our utmost star.

And I said: "On me let the rough storms hurtle,
         The great clouds gather and shroud my sun --
But you shall be Queen where the rose and myrtle
         Laugh with the year till the year is done."

So my Dream fell dead; and the fluctuant passion --
         The stress and strain of the past re-grew,
The world laughed on in its heedless fashion,
         But Earth whirled worthless, because of you!

In that Lake of Tears which my grief discovered,
         I laid dead Love with a passionate kiss,
And over those soundless depths has hovered
         The sweet, sad wraith of my vanished bliss.

Heart clings to Heart -- let the strange years sever
         The fates of two who had met -- to part;
Love's strength survives, and the harsh world never
         Shall crush the passion of heart for heart;

For I know my life, though it droop and dwindle,
         Shall leave me Love till I fade and die,
And when hereafter our Souls re-kindle,
         Who shall be fonder -- You or I?

DayPoems Poem No. 873
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/873.html">Quis Separabit? by Philip Joseph Holdsworth</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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