The Unattainable
By George Sterling
In love's wild desperation of desire
I seek thee, I adore thee! Sweet, my hands
Would fain despoil high Paradise, or lands
Of rapture unattainable. I tire—
I and my dreams—before the vision dire
Of thine infinitude. The mournful strands
Of life's dim ocean reach their foam-set sands
For one white chord of Love's angelic lyre.
I cannot name thee. Lo! the hands of God,
Moulding thy marvel, wrought my worshipping.
Ah! what am I without thee, thou mine own?
The far, forgotten ways my feet have trod
Had naught of worth nor honor save to bring
This heart of adoration to thy throne.
Written in Carmel.