The Past

YE that pine for the vanished years, as pined
Odysseus for one glimpse of Hellas more;
That toward them lean, as toward their fading shore
Poor exiles unto earth’s far ends consigned —
Lean to reclaim some echo which, confined,
Bird-like shall sing in memory’s mournful door,—
Know this: life’s earlier land lies on before —
Not over widening seasons far behind!
And we shall find it in the great To Be.
It lapses not away, as to our eyes
Doth seem, but swiftly and forever nears!
As brave Magellan who sailed the uncharted sea,
Full circling earth, saw his home shores arise,
So shall we come again on our lost, happy years!