WHY need I seek some burden small to bear Before I go? Will not a host of nobler souls be here, Heaven's will to do? Of stronger hands, unfailing, unafraid? O silly soul! what matters my small aid Before I go! I tried to find, that I might show to them, Before I go, The path of purer lives: the light was dim, I do not know If I had found some footprints of the way; It is too late their wandering feet to stay, Before I go. I would have sung the rest some song of cheer, Before I go. But still the chords rang false; some jar of fear, Some jangling woe. And at the end I cannot weave one chord To float into their hearts my last warm word, Before I go. I would be satisfied if I might tell, Before I go, That one warm word, -- how I have loved them well, Could they but know! And would have gained for them some gleam of good; Have sought it long; still seek, -- if but I could! Before I go. 'T is a child's longing, on the beach at play: "Before I go," He begs the beckoning mother, "Let me stay One shell to throw!" 'T is coming night; the great sea climbs the shore, -- "Ah, let me toss one little pebble more, Before I go!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT by JONATHAN SWIFT CIRCUMSTANCE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH GERALDINE by EMILY JANE BRONTE THE WORLD PLAY by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON HOCH! DER KAISER by WILLIAM MONTGOMERY CLEMENS LA COQUETTE by ROSE TERRY COOKE |