Skip to content
1868–1950

THE CRY

Edgar Lee Masters

There's a voice in my heart that cries and cries for tears. It is not a voice, but a pain of many fears. It is not a pain, but the rune of far-off spheres. It may be a daemon of pent and high emprise,

That looks on my soul till my soul hides and cries, Loath to rebuke my soul and bid it arise. It may be myself as I was in another life, Fashioned to lead where strife gives way to strife,

Pinioned here in failure by knife thrown after knife. The child turns o'er in the womb; and perhaps the soul Nurtures a dream too strong for the soul's control, When the dream hath eyes, and senses its destined goal.

Deep in darkness the bulb under mould and clod Feels the sun in the sky and pushes above the sod; Perhaps this cry in my heart is nothing but God!

Cookies on Poetry Cove

We use cookies to remember your language preference and — only with your consent — to learn how Poetry Cove is used. You can change your mind any time.
THE CRY · Edgar Lee Masters · Poetry Cove