Analysis of Contrast

The world has many seas, Mediterranean, Atlantic, but
        here is the shore of the one ocean.
And here the heavy future hangs like a cloud; the
        enormous scene; the enormous games preparing
Weigh on the water and strain the rock; the stage is
        here, the play is conceived; the players are
        not found.

I saw on the Sierras, up the Kaweah valley above the
        Moro rock, the mountain redwoods
Like red towers on the slopes of snow; about their
        bases grew a bushery of Christmas green,
Firs and pines to be monuments for pilgrimage
In Europe; I remembered the Swiss forests, the dark
        robes of Pilatus, no trunk like these there;
But these are underwood; they are only a shrubbery
        about the boles of the trees.

Our people are clever and masterful;
They have powers in the mass, they accomplish marvels.
        It is possible Time will make them before it
        annuls them, but at present
There is not one memorable person, there is not one
        mind to stand with the trees, one life with
        the mountains.

Submitted by Holt