I did not reach thee, But my feet slip nearer every day…
““I did not reach thee, But my feet slip nearer every day; Three Rivers and a Hill to cross, One Desert and a Sea— I shall not count the journey one When I am telling thee. Two deserts—but the year is cold So that will help the sand— One desert crossed, the second one Will feel as cool as land. Sahara is too little price To pay for thy Right hand! The sea comes last. Step merry, feet! So short have we to go To play together we are prone, But we must labor now, The last shall be the lightest load That we have had to draw. The Sun goes crooked—that is night— Before he makes the bend We must have passed the middle sea, Almost we wish the end Were further off—too great it seems So near the Whole to stand. We step like plush, we stand like snow— The waters murmur now, Three rivers and the hill are passed, Two deserts and the sea! Now Death usurps my premium And gets the look at Thee.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poem uses a journey metaphor to describe perseverance through hardships, suggesting that each obstacle becomes lighter as one progresses toward the goal.
In simple terms: Endurance makes challenges feel smaller over time.
Key Takeaway
Keep moving forward despite obstacles.
Themes
perseverance
journey
resilience
nature metaphor
spiritual growth
Mood
determined
hopeful
steady
Type
motivational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- mountain climbing
- academic research
- career advancement
- personal recovery
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
incremental progress
psychological endurance
hope
inner strength
life cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- What “deserts” are you crossing now?
- How can you measure the lightening of your load?
A Different Perspective
Progress may feel slow, and optimism can wane without visible results.