Poetry Archives

A face seen passing in a crowded street,
 A voice heard singing music, large and free;
 And from that moment life is changed, and we
Become of more heroic temper, meet
To freely ask and give, a man complete
 Radiant because of faith, we dare to be
 What Nature meant us.  Brave idolatry
Which can conceive a hero!  No deceit,
 No knowledge taught by unrelenting years,
 Can quench this fierce, untamable desire.
We know that what we long for once achieved
 Will cease to satisfy.  Be still our fears;
 If what we worship fail us, still the fire
Burns on, and it is much to have believed.