The Earth Turns South/The Radiant

by Clement Richardson Wood

I.
RESTLESS YEARS

THE RADIANT

When this body drifts in dustLightly on the nervous air,Vagabonding everywhereIn this restless planet's crust,

Wet by foam of every sea,Dancing up the thinning skyTo its terrible and highJourney through infinity,—

When it softly voyagesPast the outermost lone star,On to what dim wonders areIn the spaceless distances,

It shall never lose the zestThat is mine by night and day,As I push my groping wayOn life's fogged and clouded quest;

It shall never waste or loseThe illogical delightThat is mine by day and night,As I steer my chartless cruise;

Or the love that fires me through,Or the hope that lifts my eyesHigher than the present skies,Toward the goal I struggle to.

When this spirit makes its wayScatteringly further still,It shall bear the deathless willThat I build—and bear—today!