All things may may move joyfully,
Shimmering in the night we share -
All movemements of the wind or sea
May bring us there.

All things shining lead us on:
Some to doom, some to salvation
In night we cling to hints of dawn
In mortal desperation,

Or anticipate better times. Alas,
'Tis like a story told to us:
Alice through the looking-glass,
Her eyes averted, tremulous.

Little time remains to try
Formulae of brighter days:
Time obtrudes, and passes by
Mortals' weak attempts to praise

The fragile Earth we earthlings share,
As in a dream. Come ye thankful ones
To sing vain anthems if you dare:
Silence is the cold response.

The stars wheel round the pole, and we
March onward to a different goal
Somewhere in the universe, we pray
Mercy may subsume all souls.


2008

Will Barber

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/all-things-may-move-joyfully/