Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE FLIGHT OF THE ARROW by RICHARD HENRY STODDARD

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE LIFE OF MAN / IS AN ARROW'S FLIGHT
Last Line: WHY WE LIVE -- AND DIE.

THE life of man
Is an arrow's flight,
Out of darkness
Into light,
And out of light
Into darkness again;
Perhaps to pleasure,
Perhaps to pain!

There must be Something,
Above, or below;
Somewhere unseen
A mighty Bow,
A Hand that tires not,
A sleepless Eye
That sees the arrows
Fly, and fly;
One who knows
Why we live -- and die.



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