Poems (Jackson)/To-day

by Helen Hunt Jackson

For works with similar titles, see To-day.

TO-DAY.

SADDEST prisoner, to death condemned,Going blindfold, with slow, reluctant feet,Hands fettered and mute lips, thy doom to meet,By flaming swords before, behind thee, hemmed,Led by two Fates,—To-morrow, with her gemmedArms that flash mocking tokens of the sweetThings thou hadst hoped; and Yesterday with cheatOf withered roses which thou hast contemned, Decking her icy brow and heavy pall;While we, mute, helpless, with prophetic blackHave wrapped ourselves, and in thy narrow trackCome, hand in hand, blindfolded, fettered all,Waiting the hour when, in thy death's last thrallBidding us follow thee, thou shalt look back.