The Path
A path goes wrinkling up the hill;
A little path, with many a falter,
As if a faint or fickle will
Had let the purpose alter.
The fault we lay to him alone
Who first the upward journey made;
Whom here a bush and there a stone
From his intent betrayed.
How many will their footsteps bring
Where waits for them a trodden hollow,
For men, like sheep unquestioning,
Are ever fain to follow.
If you are first, put back the stone,
Subdue the bush your way impeding.
Diverge not, though in toil you groan, -
Remember - you are leading.
by Ruby Archer
Ruby Archer, also known by her married names Ruby Archer Doud and Ruby Archer Gray, was born on 28 January 1873 in in Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America. She was married to Frank Newland Doud on 27 March 1910, and later to Benjamin Franklin Gray. She became a writer, a translator, and a poet. Her works include her collected poems, “Little Poems” (1900). Ruby Archer passed on at 87 years of age on 23 January 1961 in Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
A path goes wrinkling up the hill;
A little path, with many a falter,
As if a faint or fickle will
Had let the purpose alter.
The fault we lay to him alone
Who first the upward journey made;
Whom here a bush and there a stone
From his intent betrayed.
How many will their footsteps bring
Where waits for them a trodden hollow,
For men, like sheep unquestioning,
Are ever fain to follow.
If you are first, put back the stone,
Subdue the bush your way impeding.
Diverge not, though in toil you groan, -
Remember - you are leading.
by Ruby Archer
Ruby Archer, also known by her married names Ruby Archer Doud and Ruby Archer Gray, was born on 28 January 1873 in in Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America. She was married to Frank Newland Doud on 27 March 1910, and later to Benjamin Franklin Gray. She became a writer, a translator, and a poet. Her works include her collected poems, “Little Poems” (1900). Ruby Archer passed on at 87 years of age on 23 January 1961 in Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
