Pain

Here upon life’s journey forward 

(Long and hard it often seems),

I travel roads that lead me toward

A city great, where sunlight gleams.

While pressing on, a presence lingers

In my shadow dusky, pale,

Hind’ring step, and reaching fingers,

Bringing weakness and despair.

For Pain my dark companion is;

I yet through life must hard strive

To press on, firmly, to the bliss

Of yonder city’s golden shine.