Claire V. Bogdanos

If I should pass this way no more

Or leave my life on foreign shore

Or cast my lot away before

The tempest and the wind’s great roar

Will filch away my soul’s encore

Then I will come this way no more.

If I but pass this way once more

Through tall and trembling grassy shore

With winds that reap capricious lore

And seasons flush as were before

To yet again my faith restore

Then I may pass this way once more.

If I can’t pass here as before

If all my deeds should fail to score

And wisdom’s love has lost its core

Then I won’t pass this way once more

Unless I find the strength to soar

Above all this forever more.