| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Distance | | By Mary (Clemmer) (Ames) Hudson (1839–1884) |
| | | HOW many leagues of weary land and sea | |
| Can place thy spirit far apart from mine? | |
| Can lure from distance dim some silent sign | |
| To set my soul enfranchised far from thee,— | |
| Afar from eyes that never leave me free, | 5 |
| From tones that stir my heart like mounting wine, | |
| From Presence thralling as some dream divine? | |
| Alas! by night and day all stay with me. | |
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| There is no distance,—not for those who know | |
| The silent countersign that makes them one, | 10 |
| Whose thoughts are messengers that burn and glow, | |
| With Love’s sweet messages the winds outrun. | |
| Go, sail the seas! Go, seek the rising sun! | |
| Beyond my constant heart thou canst not go. | | | | |
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