by Carolynquinn

Say Not the Struggle Nought Availeth


Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Just wanted to share this “oldie but goodie” of a poem because it’s one of my favorites. If something you’re waiting for seems to take a little too long to arrive, who knows? Perhaps it’s already on the way!

Say not the Struggle nought Availeth

By Arthur Hugh Clough

Say not the struggle nought availeth,

     The labour and the wounds are vain,

The enemy faints not, nor faileth,

     And as things have been they remain.

If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;

     It may be, in yon smoke concealed,

Your comrades chase e’en now the fliers,

     And, but for you, possess the field.

For while the tired waves, vainly breaking

     Seem here no painful inch to gain,

Far back through creeks and inlets making,

     Comes silent, flooding in, the main.

And not by eastern windows only,

     When daylight comes, comes in the light,

In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly,

     But westward, look, the land is bright.