By Joseph Burrows
HAST ever tramped along the road
That has no end?
The far brown winding road,—your one
Fast friend
A tattered weather-beaten swag,
A silent mate
To send
His dumb warm comfort to the heart,
A fount where dreams ascend.
There’s wondrous freedom on the road
That has no end;
A man’s heart glows, his spirit leaps
To blend
Its joy of life with fierce wind’s gust
Upon his face:
To lend
Its cry to Nature’s tumult, full
And shrill, as twilight shades descend.
The flowers bloom along the road
That has no end
Cool breezes blow, the gum trees sway
And bend;
The wild doves woo, and softly coo
Their soothing notes,
And mend
Heart’s throbbing pain to sweet content,
And peace lights on the mind’s sad trend
There’s pain and toil along the road
That has no end;
A sinking heart, and weary feet
That spend
Their strength, and lag and crave respite;
And dim tired eyes
That tend
To close their heavy lids upon
The stinging dusts that upward wend.
There are sweet still hours along the road
That has no end
’Neath twinkling stars when night’s deep shades
O’erpend;
A man’s eyes shine with gathered tears,
And memories come
To rend
His straining heart strings, while above
The paling lights his mood commend.
I love the road, the swagman’s road
That has no end;
I love its joys, that pains and toils
Transcend;
It is my dreams, the life that fills my heart
And when death comes and would
My peacefulness
Amend,
I pray that God may let my soul depart
With my tattered swag beside me,
’Mid my friends that never chide me,
And my face towards the distant clouded hill,
Where leads the far brown winding road
That has no end.
commentary about The Road That Has No End
The poem entitled “The Road That Has No End” captures the essence of a wanderer’s journey along an endless road, exploring the experiences, emotions, and reflections that accompany such a journey. The poem’s structure consists of six stanzas, each with a varying number of lines, and employs a straightforward rhyme scheme. The poem’s tone is a mixture of melancholy, introspection, and appreciation for the freedom and beauty found along the road.
In the first stanza, the poem introduces the subject of the road that has no end, a metaphor for a life of wandering, searching, and seeking solace. The speaker’s only companions on this journey are a worn swag, which symbolizes the baggage and experiences that one carries, and a silent mate that provides comfort and inspires dreams.
The second stanza emphasizes the sense of freedom and exhilaration that can be experienced on this endless road. The traveler’s heart glows and their spirit leaps, embracing the wild gusts of wind and joining nature’s tumultuous orchestra. The road offers an opportunity to escape from the mundane and to feel truly alive.
The third stanza focuses on the beauty and tranquility found along the road, with the blossoming flowers, swaying gum trees, and soothing cooing of wild doves. These natural elements heal the heart’s pain and bring peace to the weary mind.
However, the fourth stanza acknowledges that the road is not without its hardships. Pain, toil, and weariness are constant companions, with tired eyes battling the stinging dust. The journey can be exhausting and demanding, but the traveler perseveres.
In the fifth stanza, the poem describes the moments of stillness and reflection that occur during the journey. Under the stars, the traveler’s eyes well up with tears, as memories come flooding back, tugging at their heartstrings. Despite the pain, these quiet moments are cherished.
The final stanza reaffirms the love for the swagman’s road and the experiences that transcend the challenges and hardships. The road becomes the very essence of the traveler’s dreams and life, and they wish for their soul to depart with their tattered swag by their side when death comes, forever facing the distant clouded hill where the endless road leads.
In summary, “The Road That Has No End” is a poignant exploration of the complexities and beauty of a wanderer’s life. The poem delves into themes of freedom, nature, self-discovery, and introspection while acknowledging the hardships and toil that accompany such a journey. The road, with its unending twists and turns, becomes a metaphor for the never-ending search for meaning, solace, and connection in life.