The Old Road to Paradise/People
Appearance
PEOPLE
(For Jessie Rittenhouse)
I am so sorry for them all Whose ceaseless footsteps rise and fall Along earth's highways endlessly, The people in the world with me; Who have had dreams, and yet must take The gifts life has for men awake; Who build their lives each day anew On hopes they know cannot come true, Who walk the world till sleep, and then At dawn must walk the world again; Who ask God's favors, knowing still He does not break His changeless will For any faulty changing cry Of men He makes to live or die. . . .
I am so sorry for them all, So sorry! Until I recall How life's adventure swings afar Beyond tomorrow like a star, And how our dreams paint golden-bright Gray working-day and sleeping-night, And all the love each man who lives May buy with merely love he gives, And how it comforts us to pray Whether God hears or turns away, And how to work and sleep and wake Is good for the mere doing's sake: Till, whether life seem gay or sad, I am so glad for men—so glad!