Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FOR A CLOSING PAGE, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOR A CLOSING PAGE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Life, like a page unpenned
Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


'Never a palinode!' -- 'Q.'

LIFE, like a page unpenned,
Spreads out its whiteness;
Nothing, from end to end,
Marring its brightness.

Surely a field to claim
Steadfast endeavour?
Where one might win a name
Sounding for ever?

Now -- to review it all --
What a prosaic,
Forced, ineffectual,
Paltry mosaic!

Plans that ne'er found a base;
Wingless upyearning;
Speed that ne'er won the race;
Fire without burning;

Doubt never set at rest
Stifle or falter it;
Good that was not the best...
Yet -- would you alter it?

Yet -- would you tread again
All the road over?
Face the old joy and pain --
Hemlock and clover?

Yes. For it still was good,
Good to be living;
Buoyant of heart and blood;
Fighting, forgiving;

Glad for the earth and sky;
Glad -- for mere gladness;
Grateful, one knew not why,
Even for sadness;

Finding the ray of hope
Gleam through distresses;
Building a larger scope
Out from successes;

Blithe to the close, and still
Tendering ever,
Both for the Good and Ill,
Thanks to the GIVER.

So, though the script is slow,
Blurred though the line is,
Let the poor record go
Onward to Finis.

1913.





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