Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE TESTAMENT OF JOHN DAVIDSON: THE LAST JOURNEY, by JOHN DAVIDSON Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I felt the world a-spinning on its nave Last Line: "round the world and home again""." Subject(s): Homecoming | ||||||||
I FELT the world a-spinning on its nave, I felt it sheering blindly round the sun; I felt the time had come to find a grave: I knew it in my heart my days were done. I took my staff in hand; I took the road, And wandered out to seek my last abode. Hearts of gold and hearts of lead Sing it yet in sun and rain, "Heel and toe from dawn to dusk, Round the world and home again". O long before the bere was steeped for malt, And long before the grape was crushed for wine, The glory of the march without a halt, The triumph of a stride like yours and mine Was known to folk like us, who walked about, To be the sprightliest cordial out and out! Folk like us, with hearts that beat, Sang it too in sun and rain -- "Heel and toe from dawn to dusk, Round the world and home again". My feet are heavy now, but on I go, My head erect beneath the tragic years. The way is steep, but I would have it so; And dusty, but I lay the dust with tears, Though none can see me weep: alone I climb The rugged path that leads me out of time -- Out of time and out of all, Singing yet in sun and rain, "Heel and toe from dawn to dusk, Round the world and home again". Farewell the hope that mocked, farewell despair That went before me still and made the pace. The earth is full of graves, and mine was there Before my life began, my resting-place; And I shall find it out and with the dead Lie down for ever, all my sayings said -- Deeds all done and songs all sung, While others chant in sun and rain, "Heel and toe from dawn to dusk, Round the world and home again". | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COMING HOME AT TWILIGHT IN LATE SUMMER by JANE KENYON THE NEGATIVES by PHILIP LEVINE THE WATER'S CHANT by PHILIP LEVINE THE EXILE'S RETURN by ROBERT LOWELL THE RETURN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS TAKING THE TRAIN HOME by WILLIAM MATTHEWS I SHALL RETURN by CLAUDE MCKAY A BALLAD OF HELL by JOHN DAVIDSON |
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