Poems (Jackson)/"When the Tide comes in"

by Helen Hunt Jackson

"WHEN THE TIDE COMES IN."

HEN the tide comes in,
At once the shore and sea begin
  Together to be glad.
  What the tide has brought
No man has asked, no man has sought:
  What other tides have had
  The deep sand hides away;
The last bit of the wrecks they wrought
  Was burned up yesterday.

  When the tide goes out,
The shore looks dark and sad with doubt.
  The landmarks are all lost.
  For the tide to turn
Men patient wait, men restless yearn.
  Sweet channels they have crossed,
  In boats that rocked with glee,
Stretch now bare stony roads that burn
  And lead away from sea.

  When the tide comes in
In hearts, at once the hearts begin
  Together to be glad.
  What the tide has brought
They do not care, they have not sought.
  All joy they ever had
  The new joy multiplies;
All pain by which it may be bought
  Seems paltry sacrifice.

  When the tide goes out,
The hearts are wrung with fear and doubt:
  All trace of joy seems lost.
  Will the tide return?
In restless questioning they yearn,
With hands unclasped, uncrossed,
  They weep, on separate ways.
Ah'! darling, shall we ever learn
  Love's tidal hours and days?

WHEN THE TIDE COMES IN.

  "When the tide goes out,
The shore looks dark and sad with doubt."