Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW, by MARY A. FORD



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW, by                    
First Line: The surging sea of human life forever onward rolls
Last Line: Beneath the shadow of thy throne a hundred years from now.
Subject(s): Religion; Theology


THE SURGING SEA of human life forever onward rolls,
And bears to the eternal shore its daily freight of souls;
Though bravely sails our bark today, pale Death sits at the prow,
And few shall know we ever lived a hundred years from now.

O mighty human brotherhood! Why fiercely war and strive,
While God's great world has ample space for everything alive?
Broad fields uncultured and unclaimed are waiting for the plow
Of progress that shall make them bloom a hundred years from now.

Why should we try so earnestly in life's short, narrow span,
On golden stairs to climb so high above our brother man?
Why blindly at an earthly shrine in slavish homage bow?
Our gold will rust, ourselves be dust, a hundred years from now.

Why prize so much the world's applause? Why dread so much its blame?
A fleeting echo is its voice of censure or of fame;
The praise that thrills the heart, the scorn that dyes with shame the brow,
Will be as long-forgotten dreams a hundred years from now.

O patient hearts, that meekly bear your weary load of wrong!
O earnest hearts, that bravely dare, and striving, grow more strong!
Aress on till perfect peace is won; you'll never dream of how
You struggled o'er life's thorny road a hundred years from now.

Grand, lofty souls, who live and toil that freedom, right and truth
Alone may rule the universe, for you is endless youth.
When 'mid the blest with God you rest, the grateful land shall bow
Above your clay in reverent love a hundred years from now.

Earth's empires rise and fall. Time! like breakers on thy shore
They rush upon thy rocks of doom, go down, and are no more.
The starry wilderness of worlds that gem night's radiant brow
Will light the skies for other eyes a hundred years from now.

Our Father, to whose sleepless eye the past and future stand
An open page, like babes we cling to Thy protecting hand;
Change, sorrow, death, are naught to us, if we may safely bow
Beneath the shadow of Thy throne a hundred years from now.





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