The Question

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1855 (Janesville) – 1919



Beside us in our seeking after pleasures,
 Through all our restless striving after fame,
Thorough all our search for worldly gains and treasures
 There walketh one whom no man likes to name.
Silent he follows, veiled of form and feature,
 Indifferent if we sorrow or rejoice,
Yet that day comes when every living creature
 Must look upon his face and hear his voice.

When that day comes to you, and Death, unmasking,
 Shall bar your path, and say, “Behold the end, ”
What are the questions that he will be asking
 About your past? Have you considered, friend?
I think he will not chide you for your sinning,
 Nor for your creeds or dogmas will he care;
He will but ask, “From your life’s first beginning
 How many burdens have you helped to bear? ”

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

41 sec read
50

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABCDCD EFEFEGEG
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 759
Words 137
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 8, 8

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American author and poet. more…

All Ella Wheeler Wilcox poems | Ella Wheeler Wilcox Books

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