God’s Way

NOT thine the silver coronet of age,
     The gentle call that bids the soul away;
The Finis set upon the finished page,
     The darkness stealing o’er the closing day.

Nay, in the strong, bright noonday of thy life
     Darkness fell on thee, and death’s silent pall;
E’en in the thick and glory of the strife
     Came the sharp, sullen signal of recall.

“God’s way!” The warrior bent his head, and so
     Passed the strong soul to where all things are clear,
Prepared unquestioning the road to go
     Nearer to God, to whom God’s self was near.