Poems (Strong)/Whither
WHITHER?Dec. 16, 1905
"Whither, wind, whither and whence?" I said, As the blast rushed on its way, "The forest waves its branches sere, The pine-trees murmur, 'Linger here,'"But the tempest answered, "Nay— From an ether pure as an angel's face, The world seems petty and small and base, And I haste to the quiet of Infinite Space."
"Whither, stream, whither and whence?" I asked, As I marked its ceaseless flow, "Oh, turbulent, foaming, excited brook, A moment pause in some sheltered nook,"But the stream replied, "Not so— From caverns too deep for human quest, I haste through these confines of dull unrest In search of the Ocean's mighty breast."
"Whither, soul, whither and whence?" I mused, As I saw the phantom pass, "What means this vista of troubled years? Joy was thy birthright, not sighs and tears,"But the soul replied, "Alas— Awakened from sleep with no guiding beams, Beset by the shadows with which life teems, I hasten on to the Land of Dreams."
THE COTTAGE; COCOANUT GROVE: FEB., 1905