The Wonder of the World

From the old stone

The carven words reproach me,

Beside the rows of quiet dead:

The wonder of the world,

The beauty and the power,

The shapes of things,

Their colors, lights and shades,

These I saw.

Look ye also

While life lasts.

Earth, air and upper air,

Earth, air and water I knew,

And the sun on my face.

The voices of women and men,

The shouting of children,

These I knew.

Harken ye, also.

Drink while life lasts

The wine of astonishment.

So spoke the stone.

[Poet's note:] The seven lines of the second stanza are taken from an old Swedish gravestone, and are quoted by Olaus J.Murie of Moose, Wyoming.