Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FACE TO FACE WITH REALITY, by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FACE TO FACE WITH REALITY, by                    
First Line: What did you see out there, my lad
Last Line: And we thank him for his grace.
Alternate Author Name(s): Oxenham, John
Subject(s): Death; Reality; Religion; Dead, The; Theology


What did you see out there, my lad,
That has set that look in your eyes?
You went out a boy, you have come back a man,
With strange new depths underneath your tan;
What was it you saw out there, my lad,
That set such deeps in your eyes?

"Strange things, -- and sad, -- and wonderful, --
Things that I scarce can tell, --
I have been in the sweep of the Reaper's scythe, --
With God, -- and Christ, -- and hell.

"I have seen Christ doing Christly deeds;
I have seen the devil at play;
I have grimped to the sod in the hand of God;
I have seen the godless pray.

"I have seen Death blast out suddenly
From a clear blue summer sky;
I have slain like Cain with a blazing brain;
I have heard the wounded cry.

"I have lain alone among the dead,
With no hope but to die;
I have seen them killing the wounded ones;
I have seen them crucify.

"I have seen the Devil in petticoats
Wiling the souls of men;
I have seen great sinners do great deeds
And turn to their sins again.

"I have sped through hells of fiery hail,
With fell red-fury shod;
I have heard the whisper of a Voice;
I have looked in the face of God."

You've a right to your deep, high look, my lad,
You have met God in the ways;
And no man looks into His face
But he feels it all his days.
You've a right to your deep, high look, my lad,
And we thank Him for His grace.





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