Poems by Edwin Meadows DixonEdwin M Dixon is my Grandfather (Alex's and James's gt grandfather)This poem was probably written shortly after WW1. DEATH THE REAPERO Thou persistent Visitor;Most dreaded intervener in the affairs Of every mortal, arbiter of cares - Eternity's Inquisitor Holding the doors of History, Where each must surely enter, nor one peep Vouchsafing into that last portal deep - Thy dread Abode of Mystery Unfolder of Futurity, Holding the final Key of Destiny; One Higher Power alone the reason why Reveals, and lights obscurity Man laughs at thy proximity. His little joys and cares a respite crave of thee, who sweeps his fancies to the grave His soul to higher sublimity Thou boundest Earth's autonomy, And Senates tremble, lest thy withering touch Should blast some powerful brain, that counts so much, In this brief life's economy We view thy spoil so fearfully, While Doubting Castle rears its frowning head, And whispers to the soul that all is dead We mourn for, sad and tearfully. Old Age, a respite borrowing, Sees tender plants cut down and wonders why, Young and so sweet, our best loved flowers must die, Leaving the older sorrowing The homely circle cherishing The mutual chain of love that binds the whole Sees now the bursting link that rends the soul beneath thy mandate, perishing. Silent unbidden Verity That terminates this mortal common lease, Beneath whose closure vain ambitions cease Anulling Man's temerity. Yet ever burning steadily The lamp of Faith shines round our stumbling feet Tempering the sting of pain and making sweet Which bitter seems so readily. Triumphant - unmistakable - Heaven's Clarion rings along the roads of Time Beckoning the passing soul to heights sublime of Love and Truth unshakable. (see Alex's poem on the same subject) |
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