The Pilot

 From the Past and Unavailing 
Out of cloudland we are steering: 
After groping, after fearing, 
Into starlight we come trailing, 
And we find the stars are true.
Still, O comrade, what of you? 
You are gone, but we are sailing, 
And the old ways are all new. 

For the Lost and Unreturning 
We have drifted, we have waited;
Uncommanded and unrated, 
We have tossed and wandered, yearning 
For a charm that comes no more 
From the old lights by the shore: 
We have shamed ourselves in learning
What you knew so long before. 

For the Breed of the Far-going 
Who are strangers, and all brothers, 
May forget no more than others 
Who looked seaward with eyes flowing.
But are brothers to bewail 
One who fought so foul a gale? 
You have won beyond our knowing, 
You are gone, but yet we sail.

Form: Elegy

♡Like0

Share Comments