Why are the sheoaks forever sighing? <br />(Sheoaks that sigh when the wind is still)— <br />Why are the dead hopes forever dying? <br />(Dead hopes that died and are with us still.) <br />As you make it and what you will. <br /> <br />Why are the ridges forever waiting? <br />Ridges that waited ere one man came, <br />Still by the towns with their life vibrating <br />Lonely ridges that wait the same. <br />Ridges and gullies without a name. <br /> <br />Why is the strong heart forever peering <br />Into the future that speaks no ill? <br />Why is the kind heart forever cheering, <br />Even at times when the fears are still? <br />As you make it, and what you will. <br /> <br />Why is the distance forever drawing? <br />(The wide horizon is round us still!) <br />Why is resentment forever gnawing <br />Against a world that may mean no ill? <br />Why are so many forever sawing <br />On strings that rasp and can never thrill—Soothe or thrill? <br />As you make it, and what you will.<br /><br />Henry Lawson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sheoaks-that-sigh-when-the-wind-is-still/
