You may think, passer-by, that Fate
Is a pit-fall outside of yourself,
Around which you may walk by the use of foresight
And wisdom.
Thus you believe, viewing the lives of other men,
As one who in God-like fashion bends over an anthill,
Seeing how their difficulties could be avoided.
But pass on into life:
In time you shall see Fate approach you
In the shape of your own image in the mirror;
Or you shall sit alone by your own hearth,
And suddenly the chair by you shall hold a guest,
And you shall know that guest,
And read the authentic message of his eyes.
(Edgar Lee Masters)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Life Poems, Time Poems, Fate & Destiny Poems, Belief & Faith Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge Poems, Guest Poems, Obstacles PoemsBased on Keywords: avoided, passer-by, foresight, anthill, pit-fall