A SEA of splendor in the West,
Purple, and pearl, and gold,
With milk-white ships of cloud, whose sails
Slowly the winds unfold.

Brown cirrus-bars, like ribbed beach-sand,
Cross the blue upper dome;
And nearer flecks of feathery white
Blow over them like foam.

But when that transient glory dies
Into the twilight gray,
And leaves me on the beach alone
Beside the glimmering bay;

And when I know that, late or soon,
Love's glory finds a grave,
And hearts that danced like dancing foam
Break like the breaking wave;

A little dreary, homeless thought
Creeps sadly over me,
Like the shadow of a lonely cloud
Moving along the sea.