Classic Poem

Too long have I dreamed
Of a broken body and sullen brain,
Blind eyes that wept to heaven in vain,
And trembling endeavour,
Of lips that could never
Utter the pain
Of a soul that was dumb.

I am become
As a little child again,
For wonder and love are all that remain
Of the dream I used to be —
Sailing out to sea,
On the ebbing silence that rises and falls,
To the cadence of silver trumpet-calls,
Sounding from eternity —

Dead sorrow lies
Where the sunset dies —
O steadfast stars,
Come close to me now, for I always knew
(Whatever the evil I had to do)
That the darkness of birth,
And the twilight of earth,
And the flickering sun,
Could never dissever
Our spirits, forever
Shining together as one:
Come close to me now,
Because — in my heart — I was always true
(What matter the evil I had to do!)
To the passionate fire
Of immortal desire
Flaming through heaven to you;
Come close to me — closer than ever before,
And fill once more
My tired eyes,
With tears of Paradise.