"Unanswered Questions"

 

Unanswered Questions

Shall you and I leave everything behind,

Go westward walking,

Never again be conscious of the mind,

But walking, talking

Of flowers and birds and clouds, with no routine,

Not wonder ever again what consciousness may mean?

Shall you and I go eastward in grave thought

And inward prying,

Be conscious, introspective, haggard, caught

Sighing and whying;

With all clear mind and valuable breath

Expended on cold doubts about eventual death?

Will you and I, submitting to the wind,

Go northward roaring?

That may be one good way to leave behind

The too trim harbor mooring:

Partake some great campaign, some large experience, some

Worthy extensive excuse for returning glorious home.

Can you and I go southward without blame

Into the region we love,

Fading without desire for famous name,

Or calculated move?

Can we in sunlight, both contentedly,

Live without ambition, gazing at blue sea?

Harold Monro