A Walk with Tennyson

The stream will cease to flow;
The wind will cease to blow;
The clouds will cease to fleet;
The heart will cease to beat;
For all things must die.
(“All Things Will Die”, 1872, Alfred Tennyson)

A troubled soul burdened with cares and woes,
Dear Alfred, why do you lament so?
In brighter mood, yesteryear you did say:

Nothing will die;
All things will change
Through eternity...
The world was never made;
It will change, but it will not fade.
("Nothing Will Die”, 1871, Alfred Tennyson)

Emotions flicker and falter,
Reflections of our vanity.
A noble spirit freed of self
bathes in light of infinity.