 | [Poems by Cary in] The Poetical Works Of Alice and Phoebe Cary |  |
THIS IS ALL.
Trying, trying—always trying—
Falling down to save a fall;
Living by the dint of dying,—
This is all!
Falling down to save a fall;
Living by the dint of dying,—
This is all!
Giving, giving—always giving—
Gathering just abroad to cast;
Dying by the dint of living
At the last!
Gathering just abroad to cast;
Dying by the dint of living
At the last!
Sighing, smiling—smiling, sighing—
Sun in shade, and shade in sun;
Dying, living—living, dying—
Both in one!
Sun in shade, and shade in sun;
Dying, living—living, dying—
Both in one!
Hoping in our very fearing,
Striving hard against our strife;
Drifting in the stead of steering,—
This is life!
Striving hard against our strife;
Drifting in the stead of steering,—
This is life!
Seeming to believe in seeming,
Half disproving, to approve;
Knowing that we dream, in dreaming,—
This is love!
Half disproving, to approve;
Knowing that we dream, in dreaming,—
This is love!
Being in our weakness stronger,—
Living where there is no breath;
Feeling harm can harm no longer,—
This is death.
Living where there is no breath;
Feeling harm can harm no longer,—
This is death.
| [Poems by Cary in] The Poetical Works Of Alice and Phoebe Cary | |