Defeat / Constance Woodrow

Defeat


Between the grey monotony of sky And darker grey monotony of sea A solitary seagull passes by, Beating the air, and screaming plaintively.

And even so – between grey yesterdays, Before your coming waked my dreaming heart, And darker grey to-morrows, when our ways Must lie forever half a world apart –

I take my way on wings that feebly beat Against the adverse winds of circumstance, My heart, rebellious at this last defeat, Screaming defiance at the gods of chance.