At Best, by John Boyle O'Reilly

At Best

The faithful helm commands the keel,
From port to port fair breezes blow;
But the ship must sail the convex sea,
Nor may she straighter go.   So, man to man; in fair accord,
On thought and will, the winds may wait;
But the world will bend the passing word,
Though its shortest course be straight.   From soul to soul the shortest line
At best will bended be:
The ship that holds the straightest course
Still sails the convex sea.

poems.one - John Boyle O'Reilly

John Boyle O'Reilly