“Unity” by Alfred Noyes is a reflective and philosophical poem that explores the interconnectedness of all life and the deeper harmony that underlies the universe. Known for his lyrical poetry and rhythmic verse, Noyes uses vivid imagery and carefully chosen metaphors to express a vision of cosmic unity, suggesting that despite the apparent divisions and chaos of the world, there exists an underlying oneness binding all existence together.
Written during a time of great global uncertainty, the poem subtly echoes spiritual and transcendental themes, inviting the reader to look beyond surface-level differences and perceive the shared essence of all beings. Noyes’s tone is meditative, almost mystical, as he draws on nature, light, and time to illustrate the seamless fabric of creation.
In keeping with his broader body of work, Unity combines accessibility with profound insight, making it not only a work of poetic beauty but also a thoughtful meditation on human experience and the natural world. The poem encourages readers to seek harmony—within themselves, with others, and with the universe at large.
Unity by Alfred Noyes
I.
Heart of my heart, the world is young;
Love lies hidden in every rose!
Every song that the skylark sung
Once, we thought, must come to a close:
Now we know the spirit of song,
Song that is merged in the chant of the whole,
Hand in hand as we wander along,
What should we doubt of the years that roll?
II.
Heart of my heart, we cannot die!
Love triumphant in flower and tree,
Every life that laughs at the sky
Tells us nothing can cease to be:
One, we are one with the song to-day,
One with the clover that scents the world,
One with the Unknown, far away,
One with the stars, when earth grows old.
III.
Heart of my heart, we are one with the wind,
One with the clouds that are whirled o’er the lea,
One in many, O broken and blind,
One as the waves are at one with the sea!
Ay! When life seems scattered apart,
Darkens, ends as a tale that is told,
One, we are one, O heart of my heart,
One, still one, while the world grows old.