Adversity

By Laurence Alma-Tadema

Black winds of the world!

There is pity in your breath,

Against wild tempest weaponing.

Grey clouds of the sky!

You are gentle in your shade,

Against night-darkness tempering.

Red wounds of the heart!

There is mercy in your blood,

Against hope-murder hardening.

Pale swoons of the soul!

You are tender in your pangs

Against dire death emboldening.