Looking On The Milky Way

By Katharine Lee Bates

Flood of stars that hold your course
High across the night,
Serried lustres numberless
As the souls that Godward press
In continual flight,
From what flaming wildfire source,
Shimmering river of the skies,
Tide of light,
Do your waves arise?

Toward what fatal fall does your
Flowing current gleam,
While those flocking souls ascend
Ever upward? For what end
Can there be to love?
Only in faith that loves endure,
We, a momentary race,
Dare to dream
Spirit outsoars space.