The Bridge Builder

An old man going down a lone highway

Came in the evening dark and grey

To a chasm vast, deep, and wide

Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossing in twilight dim

The swollen stream held no fears for him;

But he turned when safe on the other side

And built a bridge to span the tide

"Old man," said a fellow  pilgrim near,

"You are wasting your strength with building here;

Your journey will end with the ending of the day;

You never again must pass this way;

You have crossed the chasm deep and wide ~

Why build you this bridge at eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head,

"Good friend in the path I've come" he said

"There followeth after me today a youth

Whose feet must pass this way.

This swollen stream which was naught to me

to that fair haired youth may a pitfall  be;

He too must cross in the twilight dim

Good friend I am building a bridge for him!

Will Allen Droomgoole