The pathway of the living is our ever-present care. <br />Let us do our best to smooth it and to make it bright and fair; <br />Let us travel it with kindness, let's be careful as we tread, <br />And give unto the living what we'd offer to the dead. <br /> <br />The pathway of the living we can beautify and grace; <br />We can line it deep with roses and make earth a happier place. <br />But we've done all mortals can do, when our prayers are softly said <br />For the souls of those that travel o'er the pathway of the dead. <br /> <br />The pathway of the living all our strength and courage needs, <br />There we ought to sprinkle favors, there we ought to sow our deeds, <br />There our smiles should be the brightest, there our kindest words be said, <br />For the angels have the keeping of the pathway of the dead.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-pathway-of-the-living/
