"The Bars of Fate" A Poem by Ellen M.H. Gates

I stood before the bars of Fate
And bowed my head disconsolate;
So high they seemed, so fierce their frown,
I thought no hand could break them down.

Beyond them I could hear the songs
Of valiant men who marched in throngs;
And joyful women, fair and free,
Looked back and waved their hands to me.

I did not cry "Too late! too late!"
Or strive to rise, or rail at Fate,
Or pray to God. My coward heart
Contented, played its foolish part.

So still I sat, the tireless bee
Sped o'er my head, with scorn for me,
And birds who build their nest in air
Beheld me, as I were not there.

From twig to twig, before my face,
The spiders wove their curious lace,
As they a curtain fine would see
Between the hindering bars and me.

Then, sudden change! I heard the call
Of wind and wave and waterfall;
From heaven above and earth below
A clear command - "ARISE AND GO!"

I upward sprang in all my strength,
And stretched my eager hands at length
To break the bars--no bars were there;
My fingers fell through empty air!

Ellen M.H.Gates.


Wow, what a great poem!

Am I the only one who thinks too much?


So many hurdles - only, in my mind
Have set me back so many times.
So many difficulties, I've let come
Instead of trusting: " His will be done".
Thom

For in scripture it says: "See I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame"
1 Peter 2:6

Note to self: ARISE AND GO !!!!!