Sestina for W. H. Hudson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sestina
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Henry_Hudson
I
Many years ago the builders built the road.
It went from there to here and back to there
With frequent missing steps along the way.
To reach the end was not to begin again,
And few there were so supremely able
As not to miss and fall from off the path.
II
How many times to fall from off the path
And once again to re-begin the road
Does it take to make the wise one able
To understand the reason it is there?
And must he never say, "Not, not again!
"I will not pass again along this way!"?
III
Some few are born upon the wilder way
And do not choose to take the common path.
They worry not to never pass again
And hurry on to go beyond the road,
Seeking from birth the there beyond the there -
Are they sad that most are not so able?
IV
Is he not among the clearly able,
The mounted man who rides the wilder way
Through the Purple Land from there to there?
He does not slip nor stumble on the path.
His thoughts unturned and keeping to the road,
He stops to talk but starts along again.
V
Returning to the Purple Land again
Quells the doubter’s fears and makes him able
To rise up and continue on the road
Behind the horseman on his fearless way
Thinking not while following fast the path
About the endless there beyond the there.
VI
Who walks from there to here and back to there
And reaches the end need not begin again.
Who never slips nor falls along the path
And undismayed continues able
To keep the path and question not the way,
Alone he wins to find the further road.
VII
Able are they who choose the wilder path
Never again to pass along this way.
Alone they find the road beyond the there.
