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A NAME IN THE SAND.
ALONE I walked the ocean strand; A pearly shell was in my hand: I stooped, and wrote upon the sand My name—the year—the day. As onward from the spot I passed, One lingering look behind I cast: A wave came rolling high and fast, And washed my lines away.
And so, methought, 't will shortly be With every mark on earth from me; A wave of dark oblivion's sea Will sweep across the place, Where I have trod the sandy shore Of time, and been to be no more, Of me—my day— the name I bore, To leave nor track, nor trace.
And yet, with Him, who counts the sands, And holds the waters in his hands, I know a lasting record stands, Inscribed against my name, Of all, this mortal part has wrought; Of all, this thinking soul has thought; And from these fleeting moments caught For glory, or for shame.