The fire of love was burning, yet so low <br />That in the dark we scarce could see its rays, <br />And in the light of perfect-placid days <br />Nothing but smouldering embers dull and slow. <br />Vainly, for love's delight, we sought to throw <br />New pleasures on the pyre to make it blaze: <br />In life's calm air and tranquil-prosperous ways <br />We missed the radiant heat of long ago. <br /> <br />Then in the night, a night of sad alarms, <br />Bitter with pain and black with fog of fears, <br />That drove us trembling to each other's arms -- <br />Across the gulf of darkness and salt tears, <br />Into life's calm the wind of sorrow came, <br />And fanned the fire of love to clearest flame.<br /><br />Henry Van Dyke<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-wind-of-sorrow/
