Sunday Sonnet

THE FRAILTY OF MAN'S LIFE
by Philip Ayres


The life we strive to lengthen out,
Is like a feather rais'd from ground,
Awhile in air 'tis tost about,
And almost lost as soon as found;

If it continue long in sight,
'Tis sometimes high and sometimes low,
Yet proudly aims a tow'ring flight,
To make the more conspicuous show.

The air with ease its weight sustains,
Since 'tis by Nature light, and frail;
Seldom in quiet state remains,
For troops of dangers it assail.

And after various conflicts with its foes,
It drops to Earth, the Earth from whence it rose.