The Road

Down into the ravine, then forward Up the embankment to the top, The ribbon of the road runs snaking Through wood and field without a stop. By all the precepts of perspective Well-surfaced highway windings rush Among the fields, among the meadows, Not raising dust, nor stuck in slush. The peaceful pond nearby ignoring (On which a duck with ducklings swam) The road once more is forward soaring On having crossed and left the dam. Now-down a slope again it hastens, Now-on and upwards, in a climb, As only life, maybe, is meant to Strain up and onward all the time. Through thousands of unheard-of fancies, Through times and countries, climb and fall, Through helps and hindrances it races Relentless, too, towards a goal; And this is to have lived your fullest, Experienced all-at home, abroad- Just as the landscape now is livened By twists and turnings of the road.