Illusions

Robert Underwood Johnson (1853–1937)

GO stand at night upon an ocean craft,

And watch the folds of its imperial train

Catching in fleecy foam a thousand glows—

A miracle of fire unquenched by sea.

There in bewildering turbulence of change

Whirls the whole firmament, till as you gaze,

All else unseen, it is as heaven itself

Had lost its poise, and each unanchored star

In phantom haste flees to the horizon line.

What dupes we are of the deceiving eye!

How many a light men wonderingly acclaim

Is but the phosphor of the path Life makes

With its own motion, while above, forgot,

Sweep on serene the old unenvious stars!