One With The Ruined Sunset

William Ernest Henley

One with the ruined sunset,
The strange forsaken sands,
What is it waits, and wanders,
And signs with desparate hands?

What is it calls in the twilight—
Calls as its chance were vain?
The cry of a gull sent seaward
Or the voice of an ancient pain?

The red ghost of the sunset,
It walks them as its own,
These dreary and desolate reaches . . .
But O, that it walked alone!

Next 10 Poems

• William Ernest Henley : Operation
• William Ernest Henley : Orientale
• William Ernest Henley : Pastoral
• William Ernest Henley : Praise The Generous Gods For Giving
• William Ernest Henley : Rhymes And Rhythms: Epilogue
• William Ernest Henley : Rhymes And Rhythms: Prologue
• William Ernest Henley : Romance
• William Ernest Henley : Scherzando
• William Ernest Henley : Scrubber
• William Ernest Henley : She Sauntered By The Swinging Seas

Previous 10 Poems

• William Ernest Henley : On The Way To Kew
• William Ernest Henley : O, Have You Blessed, Behind The Stars
• William Ernest Henley : Nocturn
• William Ernest Henley : Music
• William Ernest Henley : Midsummer Midnight Skies
• William Ernest Henley : Matri Dilectissimae-i.m.
• William Ernest Henley : Margaritae Sorori
• William Ernest Henley : Madam Life's A Piece In Bloom
• William Ernest Henley : Largo E Mesto
• William Ernest Henley : Lady-probationer