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...SONNET; OXFORD, 1916 by GEORGE SANTAYANA ODE TO A NIGHTINGALE by JOHN KEATS THE LAY OF THE OLD WOMAN CLOTHED IN GREY; A LEGEND OF DOVER by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM MY FORE-ELDERS by WILLIAM BARNES |