Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906 / Ohio / United States)

Anchored
IF thro' the sea of night which here surrounds me,
I could swim out beyond the farthest star,
Break every barrier of circumstance that bounds me,
And greet the Sun of sweeter life afar,
Tho' near you there is passion, grief, and sorrow,
And out there rest and joy and peace and all,
I should renounce that beckoning for tomorrow,
I could not choose to go beyond your call.