From Later Life
Christina Georgina Rossetti
VI
We lack, yet cannot fix upon the lack:
Not this, nor that; yet somewhat, certainly.
We see the things we do not yearn to see
Around us: and what see we glancing back?
Lost hopes that leave our hearts upon the rack,
Hopes that were never ours yet seemd to be,
For which we steerd on lifes salt stormy sea
Braving the sunstroke and the frozen pack.
If thus to look behind is all in vain,
And all in vain to look to left or right,
Why face we not our future once again,
Launching with hardier hearts across the main,
Straining dim eyes to catch the invisible sight,
And strong to bear ourselves in patient pain?
IX
Star Sirius and the Pole Star dwell afar
Beyond the drawings each of others strength:
One blazes through the brief bright summers length
Lavishing life-heat from a flaming car;
While one unchangeable upon a throne
Broods oer the frozen heart of earth alone,
Content to reign the bright particular star
Of some who wander or of some who groan.
They own no drawings each of others strength,
Nor vibrate in a visible sympathy,
Nor veer along their courses each toward
Yet are their orbits pitchd in harmony
Of one dear heaven, across whose depth and length
Mayhap they talk together without speech.
