Christina Rossetti — A Pause of Thought

I looked for that which is not, nor can be,         And hope deferred made my heart sick in truth         But years must pass before a hope of youth                 Is resigned utterly. I watched and waited with a steadfast will:         And though the object seemed to flee away         That I so longed for, ever day by day                 I watched and waited still. Sometimes I said: This thing shall be no more;         My expectation wearies and shall cease;         I will resign it now and be at peace:                 Yet never gave it o'er. Sometimes I said: It is an empty name         I long for; to a name why should I give         The peace of all the days I have to live?--                 Yet gave it all the same. Alas, thou foolish one! alike unfit         For healthy joy and salutary pain:         Thou knowest the chase useless, and again                 Turnest to follow it.