I sent a message to my dear -- <br /> A thousand leagues and more to Her -- <br />The dumb sea-levels thrilled to hear, <br /> And Lost Atlantis bore to Her. <br /> <br />Behind my message hard I came, <br /> And nigh had found a grave for me; <br />But that I launched of steel and flame <br /> Did war against the wave for me. <br /> <br />Uprose the deep, by gale on gale, <br /> To bid me change my mind again -- <br />He broke his teeth along my rail, <br /> And, roaring, swung behind again. <br /> <br />I stayed the sun at noon to tell <br /> My way across the waste of it; <br />I read the storm before it fell <br /> And made the better haste of it. <br /> <br />Afar, I hailed the land at night -- <br /> The towers I built had heard of me -- <br />And, ere my rocket reached its height, <br /> Had flashed my Love the word of me. <br /> <br />Earth sold her chosen men of strength <br /> (They lived and strove and died for me) <br />To drive my road a nation's length, <br /> And toss the miles aside for me. <br /> <br />I snatched their toil to serve my needs -- <br /> Too slow their fleetest flew for me -- <br />I tired twenty smoking steeds, <br /> And bade them bait a new for me. <br /> <br />I sent the lightnings forth to see <br /> Where hour by hour She waited me. <br />Among ten million one was She, <br /> And surely all men hated me! <br /> <br />Dawn ran to meet me at my goal -- <br /> Ah, day no tongue shall tell again! <br />And little folk of little soul <br /> Rose up to buy and sell again!<br /><br />Rudyard Kipling<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-miracles/
