Ah! The Ravages Of Time! Poem by Emmanuel George Cefai

Ah! the ravages of time!
Ah! the ravages of age!
The snows more cruel will not be
Against the frozen faces of the rocks
Hard grey and black supporting them:
Nor will the nights more severe stand
Where shielding clouds elude
The frowning of the heavens; the disconsolation of solitude.

Vessels have foundered on shores and seas
And then their splendor lay in wrecks
Disjointed wood; melting paint; and shattered glass:
And all the paraphernalia of all wrecks:
I will never rest until I climb
The mount of sacrifice from where I look
Upon the wrecks of all I built and made
In previous years and burning youth and fray
Then will I have a little rest and then
I will my pinions throw at heaven’s face.

Then one long cry desperate and wild
After minutes of realization will I throw:
The jug I built and which I threw to earth
I see and weep - and yet not tears come
Nor words by which unlock my heart:

This me, this wreck, this hopeless case and wild.