FLOATING ISLAND
HARMONIOUS Powers with Nature work On sky, earth, river, lake and sea; Sunshine and cloud, whirlwind and breeze, All in one duteous task agree. Once did I see a slip of earth (By throbbing waves long undermined) Loosed from its hold; how, no one knew, But all might see it float, obedient to the wind; Might see it, from the mossy shore Dissevered, float upon the Lake, 10 Float with its crest of trees adorned On which the warbling birds their pastime take. Food, shelter, safety, there they find; There berries ripen, flowerets bloom; There insects live their lives, and die; A peopled world it is; in size a tiny room. And thus through many seasons’ space This little Island may survive; But Nature, though we mark her not, Will take away, may cease to give. 20 Perchance when you are wandering forth Upon some vacant sunny day, Without an object, hope, or fear, Thither your eyes may turn–the Isle is passed away; Buried beneath the glittering Lake, Its place no longer to be found; Yet the lost fragments shall remain To fertilize some other ground. 1842.