Explore "Wishes" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Whatever you want, if you wish for it long, / With constant yearning and fervent desire, / If your wish soars upward on wings so strong / That they never grow languid and never tire, --
Why, over the storm clouds and out of the dark / It shall come flying some day to you. / As the dove with the olive branch flew to the ark, / And the dream you have cherished -- it shall come true.
But lest much rapture shall make you mad, / Or too bright sunshine should strike you blind, / Along with your blessing a something sad / Shall come like a shadow that follows behind.
Something unwelcome and unforeseen, / Yet of your hope and your wish, a part, / Shall stand like a sentinel in between / The perfect joy and the human heart.
I wished for a cloudless and golden day; / It came, but I looked from my window to see / A giant shadow which seemed to say, / 'If you ask for the sunlight you must take me.'
Oh! a wonderful thing is the human will, / When seeking one purpose, and serving one end; / But I think it is wiser to just sit still, / And accept whatever the gods may send.