IF no one ever went ahead, <br />If we had seen no friend depart <br />And mourned him for a while as dead, <br />How great would be our fear to start. <br /> <br />If no one for us led the way, <br />No loved one, garbed in angel white <br />Stood there, a welcome word to say, <br />Then we should fear the Heavenly flight. <br /> <br />If we should never say 'good bye,' <br />Should never shed the parting tear, <br />We'd face the journey to the sky <br />In horrible despair and fear. <br /> <br />It is because our friends have gone <br />And left us in this vale of breath, <br />Because of those who've journeyed on, <br />That we can bravely smile at death.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-departed-10/
