In A Storm

(To a Petrel)

All day long in the spindrift swinging, Bird of the sea! bird of the sea! How I would that I had thy winging-- How I envy thee!

How I would that I had thy spirit, So to careen, joyous to cry, Over the storm and never fear it! Into the night that hovers near it! Calm on a reeling sky!

All day long, and the night, unresting! Ah! I believe thy every breath Means that life's best comes ever breasting Peril and pain and death!