Impressions: A Book of Verse/She Is Frightened at His Anger at Her Resolving on a Long Absence

by Lilla Cabot Perry

 

SHE IS FRIGHTENED AT HIS ANGER AT HER RESOLVING ON A LONG ABSENCE

BOUNDLESS as ocean is your love; yet dark
With sudden storms erewhile it whelms my soul
In waves of doubt and bitterness that roll,
Like winter seas, on some poor helpless bark,
Dashing it rudderless on cliffs that rise
Sudden o'erhead, while moaning fog bells toll
For those who die so near their wished-for goal,
Which shrouded in white mist before them lies.

Then at my grief you change and tender seem
As that same ocean on a summer morn,
Bringing sweet comfort to my heart forlorn
Till sorrows past but turned to joy I deem,
For all my grief that in your frown was born
Dies in your smile as in a happy dream.