Life

LIFE burns us up like fire,

And Song goes up in flame:

The radiant body smoulders

To the ashes whence it came.

Out of things it rises

With a mouth that laughs and sings,

Backward it fades and falters

Into the char of things.

Yet soars a voice above it—

Love is holy and strong;

The best of us forever

Escapes in Love and Song.