George Shepard Burleigh (1821–1903)

LIKE frosted silver in the earth’s broad palm

The ocean lay, unmoving as the sky,

When the sky caught, from morning’s opening eye,

Ineffable splendors, and from earth the balm

Of all the flowers whose sweetness was a psalm

Sung out by every bird-throat audibly.

The soft, warm light reflected from on high

Shed vapory gold on ocean’s waveless calm.

Out of the sea the sun rose royally,

And on the sea its burning image flung,

And to the sea that burning image clung,

As the orb climbed in double majesty;

A fiery isthmus stretched its arm between

Two continents of fire in passing splendor seen.