Mary (Clemmer) (Ames) Hudson (1839–1884)

HOW many leagues of weary land and sea

Can place thy spirit far apart from mine?

Can lure from distance dim some silent sign

To set my soul enfranchised far from thee,—

Afar from eyes that never leave me free,

From tones that stir my heart like mounting wine,

From Presence thralling as some dream divine?

Alas! by night and day all stay with me.

There is no distance,—not for those who know

The silent countersign that makes them one,

Whose thoughts are messengers that burn and glow,

With Love’s sweet messages the winds outrun.

Go, sail the seas! Go, seek the rising sun!

Beyond my constant heart thou canst not go.