Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WAY, by CHARLES WILLIAMS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WAY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I promised about this time to call at a home
Last Line: Side turnings here going steeply down to the pit.
Subject(s): Heaven; Paradise


I PROMISED about this time to call at a house
On the other side of the way, which is heaven, and see
If Immanuel is there and will finish his business with me.

It's the pleasanter side: the tumble-down houses here,
The frowsy people, the mud, the raucous calls,
Are pretty bad when I look at those shining walls.

It seems silly to walk on this side when I might be there.
I jostle and splash and am hardly fit to be seen;
Only—the road is up in between.

The barriers stretch right along without opening or break.
The workmen there have their faces turned away,
And if I speak never listen to what I say;

Unless I try to go by, then a hard voice says
'No crossing here, sir,' an all-but-violent hand
Thrusts out to push me back, so here I stand.

It must be a long while ago that I promised to call.
Too far to go back: besides, it's getting dark
And the street-lamps show no more than the merest spark.

Night in this neighbourhood! night with these neighbours! these fat
Slimy faces! these lean greedy smiles! What supper, what room
Should I find here—O what dreams in the gloom!

But if I go on,—what to do? the poles stretch along
Unbroken as far as I see, and every yard
May take me away from that house down a road still barred.

Yet there the thing is! there's heaven! and there are its gay
Bright tenants, but they don't look, and this horrible smoke
Has got into my lungs; if I try to call out I choke.

No good to turn back, no good to go on, no room
To cross, and no hope to find room, and all the unlit
Side turnings here going steeply down to the Pit.





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