Joy

Though joy is better than sorrow, joy is not great;

Peace is great, strength is great.

Not for joy the stars burn, not for joy the vulture

Spreads her gray sails on the air

Over the mountain; not for joy the worn mountain

Stands, while years like water

Trench his long sides. “I am neither mountain nor bird

Nor star; and I seek joy.”

The weakness of your breed: yet at length quietness

Will cover those wistful eyes.

Credit

This poem is in the public domain.