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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MY FAITH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: This body is my house - it is not I
Last Line: Triumphant in this faith I live, and die.
Alternate Author Name(s): Paget, R. L.
Subject(s): Faith; Belief; Creed


This body is my house—it is not I:
Herein I sojourn till, in some far sky,
I lease a fairer dwelling, built to last
Till all the carpentry of time is past.
When from my high place viewing this lone star,
What shall I care where these poor timbers are?

What though the crumbling walls turn dust and loam—
I shall have left them for a larger home!
What though the rafters break, the stanchions rot,
When earth hath dwindled to a glimmering spot!
When thou, clay cottage, fallest, I'll immerse
My long-cramped spirit in the universe.

Through uncomputed silences of space
I shall yearn upward to the leaning Face.
The ancient heavens will roll aside for me,
As Moses monarch's the dividing sea.
This body is my house—it is not I;
Triumphant in this faith I live, and die.





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