On My Own Portrait

And yet--the face shall pass As a shadow ’cross the grass; As the shadow of a bird-wing Spread a moment in the sun; As the light-blown dust that dances In the wind and whirls and glances Mote-wise in a passing sunbeam, When the Sand of Fate is run. Out of silence--here and hither; Into silence--whence and whither Still unanswered; still unmapped The road the feet have come and gone. Heart of fire, soul aspiring; Spirit daring, strong, untiring-- Is the unmapped Road to Silence All that ye and Life have won? Ah! but there was still the fight! Darkness--and the search for light! Road unmapped--but fearless going Out upon the journey--knowing Naught and daring all. As ye will then, weigh and measure; Count the gain and hoard the treasure-- But the Fight was more than all.