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 As two floating planks meet and part on the sea,
 O friend! so I met and then drifted from read more 
 As two floating planks meet and part on the sea,
 O friend! so I met and then drifted from thee. 
 In life there are meetings which seem
 Like a fate.  
 In life there are meetings which seem
 Like a fate. 
 Two lives that once part, are as ships that divide
 When, moment on moment, there rushes between
  read more 
 Two lives that once part, are as ships that divide
 When, moment on moment, there rushes between
  The one and the other, a sea;--
   Ah, never can fall from the days that have been
    A gleam on the years that shall be! 
 Alas, by what rude fate
 Our lives, like ships at sea, an instant meet,
  Then part forever read more 
 Alas, by what rude fate
 Our lives, like ships at sea, an instant meet,
  Then part forever on their courses fleet. 
 Like driftwood spares which meet and pass
 Upon the boundless ocean-plain,
  So on the sea of life, read more 
 Like driftwood spares which meet and pass
 Upon the boundless ocean-plain,
  So on the sea of life, alas!
   Man nears man, meets, and leaves again. 
 Some day, some day of days, threading the street
 With idle, heedless pace,
  Unlooking for such grace,
read more 
 Some day, some day of days, threading the street
 With idle, heedless pace,
  Unlooking for such grace,
   I shall behold your face!
    Some day, some day of days, thus may we meet. 
 And soon, too soon, we part with pain,
 To sail o'er silent seas again.  
 And soon, too soon, we part with pain,
 To sail o'er silent seas again. 
 Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing,
 Only a signal shown and a distant read more 
 Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing,
 Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness:
  So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another,
   Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.
   - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 
The joy of meeting not unmixed with pain.
The joy of meeting not unmixed with pain.