There was, before me

There was, before me,

Mile upon mile

Of snow, ice, burning sand.

And yet I could look beyond all this,

To a place of infinite beauty;

And I could see the loveliness of her

Who walked in the shade of the trees.

When I gazed,

All was lost

But this place of beauty and her.

When I gazed,

And in my gazing, desired,

Then came again

Mile upon mile,

Of snow, ice, burning sand.