Ada Cambridge

Here you will find the Poem Despair of poet Ada Cambridge

Despair

Alone! Alone! No beacon, far or near! 
   No chart, no compass, and no anchor stay! 
   Like melting fog the mirage melts away 
In all-surrounding darkness, void and clear. 
Drifting, I spread vain hands, and vainly peer 
   And vainly call for pilot, -- weep and pray; 
   Beyond these limits not the faintest ray 
Shows distant coast whereto the lost may steer. 

O what is life, if we must hold it thus 
   As wind-blown sparks hold momentary fire? 
   What are these gifts without the larger boon? 
O what is art, or wealth, or fame to us 
   Who scarce have time to know what we desire? 
   O what is love, if we must part so soon?