Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 3. A LONG JOURNEY, by EDWARD CARPENTER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 3. A LONG JOURNEY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The long insatiable yearning of the mortal creature
Last Line: Way.
Subject(s): Future Life; Retribution; Eternity; After Life


THE long insatiable yearning of the mortal creature, for absolute
union—never accomplished;
Each mortal love the symbol, the promise, and the part-fulfilment of that
for which all life exists.

Not this year or next, not this life or perhaps the next.
But day by day and day by day as long as thou art, pass thou nearer to that
great joy.

Here too (as so often said before) it is no matter of chance:
It is not that these are lucky having found their mates, and thou art
unfortunate standing alone (for they have not found their mates, and thou
standest not alone);
But every day and every day (for thee as well as for them and all) the way
lies on before—to be slowly accomplished—
To make thyself fit for the perfect love which awaits and which alone can
satisfy thee.

Lo! that divine body which dwells within thy mortal body, slowly preparing
its own deliverance—
What is all suffering before that? to surrender this is but to open the way
for that—'tis but the law of Equality.
Begin to-day to walk the path which alone is gain;
In the sunshine, as the sunshine, calm contented and blessed, envying no
one, railing not, repining not;
Receiving the message of the patient trees and herbs, and of the creatures
of the earth, and of the stars above;
Possessing all within thyself, with showers of beauties and blessings every
moment—to scatter again to others with free hand;
Neither hurrying nor slackening, but sure of thy great and glorious
destiny, walk thou—
And presently all around thee shalt thou see the similitude of him whom
thou seekest:
He shall send a multitude of messengers in advance to cheer thee on thy
way.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net