At the Bars of Memory and Other Poems/My Heritage
MY HERITAGE
A little while to live an' learn;
A little while to dream an' plan;
A little while to long an' yearn
For things denied to humble man.
A little while to know an' feel
The comfort o' some faithful friends;
A little while for woe an' weal;
A little while to make amends.
A little while to doze an' nod;
A little while to jest an' play;
A little while to worship God
A long the broad an' sun-kiss'd way.
A little while to mourn an' weep;
A little while to comfort those
Who suffer when the world's asleep,
Unconscious of all others' woes.
A little while to love an' bless
That kindly soul that gave me life;
A little while just to caress
My mother's hand in hours o' strife.
A little while to toil an' slave
Ere all the tricklin' sands have run;
A while to bless a grass-grown grave
Guarded by moon an' stars an' sun.
My heritage! To live each day
Subject to laws that men may frame;
Just live … an' then slip away
To that far bourne from whence I came.