Margaret Fuller (1810–1850)

I AM immortal! I know it! I feel it!

Hope floods my heart with delight!

Running on air, mad with life, dizzy, reeling,

Upward I mount,—faith is sight, life is feeling,

Hope is the day-star of might!

It was thy kiss, Love, that made me immortal,—

“‘Kiss,’ Love? Our lips have not met!”

Ah, but I felt thy soul through night’s portal

Swoon on my lips at night’s sweet, silent portal,

Wild and as sweet as regret.

Come, let us mount on the wings of the morning,

Flying for joy of the flight,

Wild with all longing, now soaring, now staying,

Mingling like day and dawn, swinging and swaying,

Hung like a cloud in the light:

I am immortal! I feel it! I feel it!

Love bears me up, love is might!

Chance cannot touch me! Time cannot hush me!

Fear, Hope, and Longing, at strife,

Sink as I rise, on, on, upward forever,

Gathering strength, gaining breath,—naught can sever

Me from the Spirit of Life!