I
Man, oh earthy man whose sight stays but below
The Stars were staged for your careful wonder,
The heavens are the province of your mindful soar
For man belongs to both beyond and before.
II
This dusty form is not the self, at all
A mere shadow of the self that is to be
And in former time and in time to come
Shadow and Substance unite as one.
III
This valley’s storm is the enemy’s dream,
The millionth knock is his futile plan
But all are subject to this temporal clime
For knowledge is knowledge and time is time
IV
This life is measured by mortal count
No more lasting than the fleeting flower
Why such noise and such high acclaim
For weak moments and fragile fame?
V
Life is not life whose end is framed down here.
So quickly formed, so quickly to the works return
Think now of this moment’s certain place,
For, time begins the journey that ends the race.
VI
This Truth and Promise are Glory’s Timeless Gifts
Offered before the mountains took their infant stand,
Before the oceans raged their primal song
Home is Home and death is there, unknown!