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Ella Wheeler Wilcox - A Grey Mood

As we hurry away to the end, my friend,
Of this sad little farce called existence,
We are sure that the future will bring one thing,
And that is the grave in the distance.
And so when our lives run along all wrong,
And nothing seems real or certain,
We can comfort ourselves with the thought (or not)
Of that spectre behind the curtain.

But we haven’t much time to repine or whine,
Or to wound or jostle each other;
And the hour for us each is to-day, I say,
If we mean to assist a brother.
And there is no pleasure that earth gives birth,
But the worry it brings is double;
And all that repays for the strife of life,
Is helping some soul in trouble.

I tell you, if I could go back the track
To my life’s morning hour,
I would not set forth, seeking name or fame,
Or that poor bauble called power.
I would be like the sunlight, and live to give;
I would lend, but I would not borrow;
Nor would I be blind and complain of pain,
Forgetting the meaning of sorrow.

This world is a vaporous jest at best,
Tossed off by the gods in laughter;
And a cruel attempt at wit were it
If nothing better came after.
It is reeking with hearts that ache and break,
Which we ought to comfort and strengthen,
As we hurry away to the end, my friend,
And the shadows behind us lengthen. 

Added: on January 18th, 2006 at 10:04 PM | Viewed: 1102 times | Comments and analysis of A Grey Mood by Ella Wheeler Wilcox Comments (1)


A Grey Mood - Comments and Information

Poet: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Poem: A Grey Mood

Comment 1 of 1, added on January 18th, 2006 at 10:04 PM.

thank you for the awsome poetry. You brighten my day and night. Please have awonderful memory of everything you write and don't forget to write what you feel! Love always Frankie!

Frankie from Canada

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