TODAY the journey is ended, I have worked out the mandates of fate; Naked, alone, undefended, I knock at the Uttermost Gate. Behind is life and its longing, Its trial, its trouble, its sorrow; Beyond is the Infinite Morning Of a day without a tomorrow. Go back to dust and decay, Body, grown weary and old; You are worthless to me from today -- No longer my soul can you hold. I lay you down gladly forever For a life that is better than this; I go where partings ne'er sever You into oblivion's abyss. Lo, the gate swings wide at my knocking, Across endless reaches I see Lost friends with laughter come flocking To give a glad welcome to me. Farewell, the maze has been threaded, This is the ending of strife; Say not that death should be dreaded -- 'Tis but the beginning of life. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONG OF THE SUPERMAN by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE A VALEDICTION by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING ON TYING DAPHNE'S SHOE by J. STUART BRYAN OBSERVATIONS ON A FEW VERSES OF HORACE by JOHN BYROM SONGS OF THE SEA CHILDREN: 5 by BLISS CARMAN TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 3. A SONG OF ONE IN OLD AGE by EDWARD CARPENTER HORACE: CHORUS AT THE END OF ACT 5 by PIERRE CORNEILLE THE POET'S SEAT; AN IDYLL OF THE SUBURBS by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON |