Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950). Spoon River Anthology. 1916.

233. Le Roy Goldman

“WHAT will you do when you come to die,

If all your life long you have rejected Jesus,

And know as you lie there, He is not your friend?”

Over and over I said, I, the revivalist.

Ah, yes! but there are friends and friends.

And blessed are you, say I, who know all now,

You who have lost, ere you pass,

A father or mother, or old grandfather or mother,

Some beautiful soul that lived life strongly,

And knew you all through, and loved you ever,

Who would not fail to speak for you,

And give God an intimate view of your soul,

As only one of your flesh could do it.

That is the hand your hand will reach for,

To lead you along the corridor

To the court where you are a stranger!