LIFE'S ANSWER

By Cale Young Rice

A stroke of lightning stabbed the storm-black sea,

As if it sought the heart of Life thereunder,

And meant to put an end to it utterly;—

Then came thunder —

Wildly applauding thunder.

Riven with fear the foam-crests ran before it,

Hissed by the rain and beaten down to darkness.

A gull rose out of the murk with wings that tore it —

Life's answer to the storm's terrible starkness.