THE WHOLE OF IT
Reading edition
A joy that passes, a pain that stays, Such is life. A moment's rapture, then weary days, Years of strife, Such is life. A kiss of passion, a sigh of pain, Such is love. A flash of splendour, then night again, God above, Such is love! A sudden blindness, a creeping fear, Such is death. An awful vastness, an unknown sphere, Choking breath, And then ... death.