John Hall Wheelock - Life

Life burns us up like fire,
   And Song goes up in flame:
The radiant body smoulders
   To the ashes whence it came.

Out of things it rises
   With a mouth that laughs and sings,
Backward it fades and falters
   Into the char of things.

Yet soars a voice above it --
   Love is holy and strong;
The best of us forever
   Escapes in Love and Song.

John Hall Wheelock

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/life-188/