Let Me See

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IS our journey here a fable? Is the roadbed as it seems?
Is life's train cut in sections, some for toil and some for
     dreams?
Are our locomotive headlights quite as brilliant as can be?
Are our driving-wheels of merit? Just slow down, and let
     me see.
All the ships we sail in grandeur, out upon the surging way,
Beam with all the royal splendor of a palace, through the day,
But the night is sure to follow; clouds may lower to the sea,
And the masts may whip the rigging, through the gloom--
     ah, let me see.

All our charts may need correcting, every anchor we should
     drop
If our course is toward the icebergs, just their breath should
     haste a stop;
Though our course has brought us bounties, rich in wealth
     and fame so free,
If our merchandise is ballast, ask the Captain. Let me see...
Each have pictures which we cherish, in the frame of youth
     aglow
Colored with the tints of flowers, down the path we used to go;
And in memory as we leave them, for a pillow by the sea
May the setting sun in splendor beckon, while we go, to see.