THE Past is dead. Let Lethe's waters close Above its vain regrets, a brood of care. The ghosts of joys departed haunt the air With discontent; and mar the heart's repose. The false mirage of hope at distance glows, Alluring voyageur with promise fair, That oft misleads his soul to fatal snare. The Future mortal seer but dimly knows. Incessant battle must the Present wage, Unswerved by hope, that dazzles to betray, Or sad-eyed memory mourning broken vow. Well-balanced manhood treads the world's grand stage, And plays its realistic parts to-day. The life that lives is one eternal Now. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: DAVIS MATLOCK by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE WHITE PEACOCK by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET AFTER WRITING A POEM by DAVID IGNATOW A DIM DOORWAY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ECSTASY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON RECOMPENSE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |