Come Love or Death

O lifted face of mute appeal! Poor tongueless pantomime of prayer! O sullen sea, whose deeps conceal The children of despair! O heart that will not look above! Poor staggering feet that seek the wave! I would come quick, if I were Love, And I had power to save. O sinking sunset loneliness Aflame in hot, unmoving eyes! Poor wan lips, creeping in distress To cover up your cries! O broken speech, and sobbing breath! Poor restless and uncertain will! I would come quick, if I were Death, And I had power to kill!

Collection: 
English
Will Henry Thompson

More from Poet

The High Tide at Gettysburg

[July 3, 1863] A CLOUD possessed the hollow field, The gathering battle’s smoky shield, Athwart the gloom the lightning flashed, And through the cloud some horsemen dashed, And from the heights the thunder pealed. Then at the brief command of Lee Moved out that matchless infantry, With Pickett...
Come Love or Death

O lifted face of mute appeal! Poor tongueless pantomime of prayer! O sullen sea, whose deeps conceal The children of despair! O heart that will not look above! Poor staggering feet that seek the wave! I would come quick, if I were Love, And I had power to save. O sinking sunset...
The High Tide at Gettysburg

A cloud possessed the hollow field, The gathering battle’s smoky shield. Athwart the gloom the lightning flashed, And through the cloud some horsemen dashed, And from the heights the thunder pealed. Then at the brief command of Lee Moved out that matchless infantry, With Pickett leading grandly...