The Subalterns

By Thomas Hardy

6/2/1840-1/11/1928

I

"Poor wanderer," said the leaden sky,
         "I fain would lighten thee,
But there be laws in force on high
         Which say it must not be."

II

- "I would not freeze thee, shorn one," cried
         The North, "knew I but how
To warm my breath, to slack my stride;
         But I am ruled as thou."

III

- "To-morrow I attack thee, wight,"
         Said Sickness. "Yet I swear
I bear thy little ark no spite,
         But am bid enter there."

IV

- "Come hither, Son," I heard Death say;
         "I did not will a grave
Should end thy pilgrimage to-day,
         But I, too, am a slave!"

V

We smiled upon each other then,
         And life to me wore less
That fell contour it wore ere when
         They owned their passiveness.

DayPoems Poem No. 1025
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/1025.html">The Subalterns by Thomas Hardy</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

Poets Poems