Poems (Coolidge)/The Downward Slope

by Helen Elizabeth Coolidge

THE DOWNWARD SLOPE

The day is spent, the night draws nigh,
In twilight hush who passes by?
Though steps be feeble, eyes grown dim,
The downward slope leads up to Him.

The night is nigh and spent the day,
Yet, heavenly light illumes the way;
My Guide unerring down the vale
Still upward leads,—I shall not fail.

And upward shall be borne my soul,
Though downward, erstwhile, seemed the goal,
When conquered is the last of foes,
And in sweet sleep mine eyelids close.