All these years walking and where have I got to? Looking before me I see advancing troubles, looking behind me I see the nothing dust, feel the cold pouring down my neck.... 5 to the left a man looking down and still walking: icy regret and old habitations. To the right, that which I desired and have forgotten. Looking down, I see my feet and what they might have been; looking up, I see the judgment not withheld.... 10 Glancing back within myself will some strange being not return my stare? Inside-- inside I sense the blessings and the bliss, some silver shadow of my desiring unsullied; steeped with ferocious being burns my happy littleness; 15 within is the crown unconquered! What a man desires of the while, who will gainsay? What voice will arise in the world's opinion and with that opinion whip him? My foot has gone upon a triple tread: 20 tears, and salt of pain, anxiety and trepidation, pave the mortal manner of my advancement. What will slow my going or disable my loitering? What will my speed achieve? When the mountains rear tomblike with their snow 25 how will the saying sky stay silent then? When the eyes look lions but no heart slays and the bones of fire and age are upon us, who will court his recollection to remember what miracles we had put into our years? 30 When action and touch and art are temptation no longer will cold and cold attract us among the millions of moments and maybes? Who will achieve even unto the limit of a single breath? When the oracle discourses with the dunce 35 there can be no God. When a brave man is framed by his fears or the coward surveys in hope the majesty of his grave, there can be no God. When a priest is used to plea with the blast 40 there can be no God. When the populace is swooning for holy approbation there is no God.
From the collection "Naked Eloquence"
Written by Gregg Glory [Gregg G. Brown]
More information available on gregglory.com.