I swallowed the bitter pill,
And it became sweet in my mouth.
I lowered myself,
And I was exalted.
I forgave my prison warden
(from the prison that I and others had built for me),
And I was liberated.
I cried tears of grief,
And God put a new song in my mouth.
I did not ask to be here –
Yet, I am.
And still,
I have a choice –
To beat bitterly
Against my course,
Or choosing otherwise,
To take
Life’s ups and downs
As lessons –
For life’s sake.
And ‘long the way,
May I some comfort lend
To fellow travelers –
Until life’s certain end.
I must go on,
For the road is long.
No matter how I think or feel,
I must go on.
I must be strong —
Still the river flows.
Where it leads; I do not know.
I must be strong.
I must keep on,
Though all seems dark.
No matter what some say or do,
I must keep on.
Though throat be parched,
Though eyes do sting,
Confusion reign or angels sing —
Remember Jesus’ suffering.
Keep on the road,
And do not fail,
Though drink be bitter, bread be stale.
To heaven’s gate I must prevail.
clarakatalin 