The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/Beyond The Years

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

BEYOND THE YEARS

                I

Beyond the years the answer lies,
Beyond where brood the grieving skies
     And Night drops tears.
Where Faith rod-chastened smiles to rise
     And doff its fears,
And carping Sorrow pines and dies—
     Beyond the years.

                II

Beyond the years the prayer for rest
Shall beat no more within the breast;
     The darkness clears,
And Morn perched on the mountain's crest
     Her form uprears—
The day that is to come is best,
     Beyond the years.

                 III

Beyond the years the soul shall find
That endless peace for which it pined,
     For light appears,
And to the eyes that still were blind
     With blood and tears,
Their sight shall come all unconfined
     Beyond the years.