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Poetry Archives

A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

Ripeness

Robert Service

With peace and rest
And wisdom sage,
Ripeness is best
Of every age.
With hands that fold
In pensive prayer,
For grave-yard mold
          Prepare.

From fighting free
With fear forgot,
Let ripeness be,
Before the rot.
With heart of cheer
At eighty odd,
How man grows near
          To God!

With passion spent
And life nigh run
Let us repent
The ill we’ve done.
And as we bless
With happy heart
Life’s mellowness
         —Depart.
Online text © 1998-2008 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From Rhymes for My Rags
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