Two bubbles in a crystal bowl appear, Born separately: round the opposing rims Each for awhile in a charmed circle swims, And shuns the other's touch, as if in fear. A gold-fish rising breaks the mimic mere; A thwart tide, traversing the surface, dims The placid water: from the distant brims The bubbles swept together are one sphere! They might have perished singly; might have known Life but not love, and living separate Have ceased imperfect, sundered mate from mate; And thou and I have walked the world alone, And died so, if the strong storm had not blown That swept us hither on the tides of fate.
Sonnet XV by By John Barlas 1889