Passed Poem by Ina D. Coolbrith

(H. C.)
Where in the unknown way,
Sister, now stands
Thy soul-who yesterday
With us joined hands?

Where lies thy land unseen,
O Warden Death?
With just a touch between,
A pulse, a breath-

Yet with what barrier barred?
That gulf profound
Which sleepless sentries guard
From sight and sound!

Never to human cries
Has answer come
Through all the centuries.
Relentless, dumb

To prayer, to tear, to moan-
Each one, to learn,
Must walk that path alone,
Nor backward turn.

Not she, our friend, may tell,
Just swiftly passed;
The law immutable
Holds her as fast

As Egypt’s old pharaoh-
A mummy, dun,
A thousand years ago,
Beneath the sun.

Thus to earth-sense is seen
Death, as we look
On its still face, serene-
Life’s sealed book;

Yet, as to each the Day
Comes with that call,
Who of us dare to say
That this is all?

We feel that somewhere, bright,
An answer lies;
That past each bitter night,
A dawn must rise;

That, as the soul of man
Came unto Earth,
In the eternal plan
Must be re-birth

To a diviner sphere. . .
Sister and friend,
Held in our hearts so dear,
Not this the end.

Lo! we shall follow thee,
Seek thee, and find!
Joy of the life to be
Who has divined?

Come, white-winged messenger.
God’s heavenly dove,
Faith-with thy message clear,
To weeping love.