After Everything

After this and after that

After labour and strife,

The odds and pains of life

The dreams of our little hearts

These little lights of ours

When finally blown down

After we’ve breathed our last,

And brutes devour our scalps.

After life, after men and earth,

When none of these remain,

After learning, knowing and teaching,

When reading ends and writing ceases

After history, and law, and math,

And theories and latitudes on maps,

When planes and birds no longer soar

From east to west, and north to south.

When everything fades:

All gone from view

When sound and vision fails

And this sand and dust, like dew

Ascends lofty heights of no return

Our bones cracked and crunched

Our world blown up and burnt

What will be left untouched?

When all is said and done,

When the battle of life is fought

Whether won or lost

We will meet at yonder’s post.

To do things never done

And sing songs never sung

In strange new worlds

Where suns and stars are not

Dimly we see and feel

What will be and what will not,

But whether doubtful or sure, 

What will be will be.