Ameen Rihani

1876-1940 / Freike / Lebanon

Ever To Be

My far cry, though no one should echo,
though no one listen should stand,
I shall dare with my burden the darkness
And i shall not retreat from this land;
Though I am hurled neath the feet of the millions,
Who struggle their places to keep,
The sea-nymphs still bathe with my fancy
And the Dryads still sweeten my sleep.
Though I am crushed, cast away and forgotten,
Though i am buried in the dust of their cars,
I can see throgh their madness above me,
I can feel the quick pulse of the stars ;
Though my head be the foot-stool of tyrants
Though my back be a step to their throne ,
I still dwell with the kings of orion
And I walk with the sun-queen alone.
Though the fire of my youth should consume me ,
Though my body a brimstone should be,
I can draw on the clouds for their water,
And behold ! I have of water a sea ;
And though roofles, and friendless, and hopeless
And loveless, and godless i stand,
the waves of my life shall continue
to murmur and laugh on the strand .
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