I Have Bent My Life My Way

I have bent my life my way

Against tongues and biddings:

So have I done some little well.

Now I am indeed old

I know I was not so splendid

As the present young…..

My way was not the whole way.

I had reason to take a hard road

By a high star shining –

Men since have circled brighter,

All heaven within their reach.

Every silver star for taking:

Had I only known

I should have unfixed my staring

And looking in another’s eyes

Might have seen smaller, but warmer worlds.