I wrote my name . . .

I wrote my name in the mist
on a window facing the sea—
the letters stood out boldly,
darkling against the silver reflection
of the shining night.
I heard the passionate sea,
saw the clear depth of the sky—
and my name there serene
reflecting all around;
while all surrounding those few strokes
absorbed and shone
with empty light.

A larger breaker than the rest
exploded into spray
below my window;
the film settled placidly
on the whole pane,
but my name dissolved—
for a moment was liquid—
and ran down,
leaving meaningless lines
where had been the round sweeps
of my mark . . . .