Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ONWARD TRAIL, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ONWARD TRAIL, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Just as of old, - with fearless foot
Last Line: Merge and be ever one again.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Farewell; Roads; Wandering & Wanderers; Parting; Paths; Trails


JUST as of old, -- with fearless foot
And placid face and resolute,
He takes the faint, mysterious trail
That leads beyond our earthly hail.

We would cry, as in last farewell,
But that his hand waves, and a spell
Is laid upon our tongues: and thus
He takes unworded leave of us.

And it is fitting: -- As he fared
Here with us, so is he prepared
For any fortuning the night
May hold for him beyond our sight.

The moon and stars they still attend
His wandering footsteps to the end, --
He did not question, nor will we,
Their guidance and security.

So, never parting word nor cry: --
We feel, with him, that by and by
Our onward trails will meet and then
Merge and be ever one again.





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