Poems (Strong)/The Other Side

by Laura Coster Strong

For works with similar titles, see The Other Side.

THE OTHER SIDE To J. R. S. Faunside, June 5, 1904

I journeyed on an unknown road, Begirt with mountains towering high,And one stood out with granite load, Its bastions seemed to pierce the sky."Oh, could I climb to yonder height O'erlooking land and sea," I sighed,"The wonders of the world I'd sight Spread out upon the other side."

I climbed that steep and dizzy height; The path was rough for tired feet.Buoyed up with thoughts of ancient might, I saw no stones, I felt no heat."Who would not suffer toil untold To reach the goal," I panting cried,"And see the glories of the world Revealed upon the other side!"

I reached the top and on my eyes No sight there burst of foreign seas,Or castles old of giant size; My roof-tree glimmered through the trees!'Twas my own hill on which I stood, Whose prospect promised strange and wideBecause, in absent, wandering mood, I'd viewed it from the other side.

The fields well-known and traversed oft, How dear and sweet they seemed and fair,Each leafy twig waved welcomes soft, And one Beloved Form was there,A shelter sure in time of need! "I have not climbed in vain," I cried,"The glories of the world indeed Lie here, upon the other side."

Summer of 1905