I did not reach Thee

I did not reach Thee But my feet slip nearer every day Three Rivers and a Hill to cross One Desert and a Sea I shall not count the journey one When I am telling thee.

Two deserts, but the Year is cold So that will help the sand One desert crossed — The second one Will feel as cool as land Sahara is too little price To pay for thy Right hand.

The Sea comes last — Step merry, feet, So short we have to go — To play together we are prone, But we must labor now, The last shall be the lightest load That we have had to draw.

The Sun goes crooked — That is Night Before he makes the bend. We must have passed the Middle Sea — Almost we wish the End Were further off — Too great it seems So near the Whole to stand.

We step like Plush, We stand like snow, The waters murmur new. Three rivers and the Hill are passed — Two deserts and the sea! Now Death usurps my Premium And gets the look at Thee.