World Enough and More

“Had we but world enough and time”—Andrew Marvell

I’ve had always world enough and more
but time—ah, time—I too have felt the lack,
have watched the tide retreating from the shore

and wondered if I’d see it coming back.
I gathered seashells on the drying strand
but time—ah, time, I too have felt the lack

though agates gleamed upon the emptied sand.
Why discontent? Was I not happy when
I gathered seashells on the drying strand

and polished stones against my shirtsleeves’ hems,
a treasure better than a dragon’s hoard.
Why discontent? Was I not happy when

I spent those hours gathering rewards
there in the space between the sand and salt,
a treasure better than a dragon’s hoard.

If this seems poor, my sight may be at fault.
I’ve watched the tide retreating from the shore
and in the space between the sand and salt
I’ve had always world enough and more.

Available! High-Voltage Lines, Knocking from Inside