The Poetry Corner

The Pilgrim

By Robert Malise Bowyer Nichols

Put by the sun my joyful soul, We are for darkness that is whole; Put by the wine, now for long years We must be thirsty with salt tears; Put by the rose, bind thou instead The fiercest thorns about thy head; Put by the courteous tire, we need But the poor pilgrim's blackest weed; Put by - a'beit with tears - thy lute, Sing but to God or else be mute. Take leave of friends save such as dare Thy love with Loneliness to share. It is full tide. Put by regret. Turn, turn away. Forget. Forget. Put by the sun my lightless soul, We are for darkness that is whole.