Soon Or Late Poem by Jonathan H. Scott

‘tis in a dream from day to day we live;
Impossible to grasp our certain fate
And only know what truth our mind will give—
The death knell tolls for all thus soon or late.

‘tis tempting to outrun the setting sun;
Tried many, lo, deciding they could wait
And lost the race before it was begun—
The death knell tolls for all thus soon or late.

‘tis vain to dodge the Reaper's awesome scythe,
Albeit straight and narrow at the gate,
Extracting from one's soul more than a tithe—
The death knell tolls for all thus soon or late.

‘tis one sweet kiss laid perfect on our lips
That keeps us clinging to this mortal state,
Yet passion soon the darkness will eclipse—
The death knell tolls for all thus soon or late.

‘tis night, and now the hour is drawing nigh;
Scarce hope that pain and suffering will abate,
And all that's left is one last mournful sigh—
The death knell tolls for all thus soon or late.