The Whistle Maker and Other Poems/He Walks Alone
He Walks Alone
He who walks upward to the light,
Must walk alone.
Condemned if he be wrong or right,
Condemned alone.
Unhelped by friends, beset by foes,
Misunderstood, however he goes,
Whether his life blood ebbs or flows,
He walks alone.
And if he loves, they doubt him still,
And turn away.
They fear he hopes to do them ill,
Or gain some sway.
And he, poor dreamer, struggles on
Silent and sad, he seeks the dawn,
Where they may stand when he is gone,
But seeks alone.
His foe who speaks with bitter tongue,
Is often heard.
He turns to friends when heart is wrung,
They doubt his word.
Seeing the light upon his way,
Nor foe, nor friend may bid him stay,
Hid from their sight, he stops to pray;
And walks alone.
February 7, 1914.