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THEY WHO PASS
I sit upon a rock of high advance to watch the world go by.
Tis high enough for me to see the vast expanse in front of me,
And all along the vision’s song distills upon my mind.
Mist strong across the fields of men. Divided paths of now and then.
The light of unchanged love well hid gleams in the hearts they who did,
So follow they the guided way until a rod do find.
Hold fast like unto strength of steel. Line after line of truth revealed
Forged deep into the iron’s mass, and envy I all they who pass
Forsaking sin, resolved to win the fruit as white as snow.
Then further from the rock look I, as sands of sea the paths they try.
The blind and lost and unaware feel out toward the cliffs of err
Where filthy deep and idle sleep lie waiting far below.
And high above all else in view, pride peering at the chosen few.
Unfounded scorn and pointed laugh thrown down upon all they who pass.
For wanting they to draw away the weak of empty hand.
Thus many from the light do flee to darkness where the eye can’t see.
And on and on these scenes do go while I do not but look below,
And think a bit while here I sit and wonder where I stand.
For soon I watch the many fall, the deaf who would not hear the call,
The blind who never opened eye, the fool who scorned and never tried.
They fade away as dust of clay to drift forever more.
And they who pass then pass again before the sentinels set in.
With oil in lamp to light the way, a final walk at end of day.
They enter in their home again brought through the bridegroom’s door.
Then falls the mist to open clear. No one but I left sitting here.
Twas I to move and choose a path? Twas I to follow they who pass?
Am I alone upon this thrown in silence here to stay?
Oh shun the thought in panic’s voice. God grant me chance to make a choice!
Then all disolves to day of break. In sweat of cold I trembling wake.
Twas all a dream, or so it seemed…and now I face the day
…Jeff Bresee
