THANKS, O wise Slave, whose message was so free! And I would know that, when I cease to be, I shall give place to something better worth -- Serene and glad -- that shall delight this earth! The place I fill so restlessly, ah, strange! It shall be filled by great Creative Change; When I shall sleep, unknowing and unskilled, With bright and tranquil force it shall be filled. I would I knew what marvel may arise To take a morning-world with sweet surprise; Moves in my place some soul unbodied yet, Or soul returning, that cannot forget? Or, but some soulless thing (as Man so counts) -- The rose of joy -- a vine that wayward mounts -- Or some great tree that, waxing full of years, Shall stand precentor of his forest-peers! Who serves a living use shall never die! I shall not be turned out of Life -- not I! But, since of beauty has the world such need, A change into some beauty be my meed! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VARIATIONS ON A THEME: ROMANCE by EDITH SITWELL HERITAGE by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT CAVALIER TUNES: BOOT AND SADDLE by ROBERT BROWNING IN HARBOR by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE THE LADY POVERTY by ALICE MEYNELL SESTINA: ALTAFORTE by EZRA POUND SALOME by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE |