After All Poem by Henry Lawson

After All

Rating: 3.5



The brooding ghosts of Australian night have gone from the bush and town;
My spirit revives in the morning breeze,
though it died when the sun went down;
The river is high and the stream is strong,
and the grass is green and tall,
And I fain would think that this world of ours is a good world after all.

The light of passion in dreamy eyes, and a page of truth well read,
The glorious thrill in a heart grown cold of the spirit I thought was dead,
A song that goes to a comrade's heart, and a tear of pride let fall --
And my soul is strong! and the world to me is a grand world after all!

Let our enemies go by their old dull tracks,
and theirs be the fault or shame
(The man is bitter against the world who has only himself to blame);
Let the darkest side of the past be dark, and only the good recall;
For I must believe that the world, my dear, is a kind world after all.

It well may be that I saw too plain, and it may be I was blind;
But I'll keep my face to the dawning light,
though the devil may stand behind!
Though the devil may stand behind my back, I'll not see his shadow fall,
But read the signs in the morning stars of a good world after all.

Rest, for your eyes are weary, girl -- you have driven the worst away --
The ghost of the man that I might have been is gone from my heart to-day;
We'll live for life and the best it brings till our twilight shadows fall;
My heart grows brave, and the world, my girl, is a good world after all.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Jennifer Chalk 06 March 2012

A wonderful poem, full of optimism full of love and hope, has brightened the mood again no end

17 4 Reply
Joseph Poewhit 06 March 2010

Words present a real up beat attitude

12 6 Reply
Ramesh T A 06 March 2010

Opinion of a broad and free heart prevails over the world despite drawbacks! The outspoken ideas reflects true poetic spirit which is lacking in many of the kind the poetry world! This is the nature of a true poet I admire!

14 2 Reply
Michael Pruchnicki 06 March 2010

Is 'loving the subject, the meter, and the rhythm' the criteria for a good poem? Do wisdom and hope (highly subjective) suffice? Or does uplifting with 'rythm' (sic) fulfill the criteria? Perhaps a broad and free heart will prevail despite a lack of poetic skills? I just don't know, but I have a hunch that some on this site think so! After all is said and done, he said with a sly grin, you pays your money, doncha?

10 5 Reply
Carlos Echeverria 06 March 2012

Lawson's lovestruck heart sings beautifully.

11 3 Reply
Jose Gonzalez 31 December 2021

I like the message the speaker wants to see the good in the world. He is optimistic and wants to put all the bad done to him behind him. Smart man

1 0 Reply
Olivia lee 18 September 2020

He’s my great uncle ☺

0 0 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 29 October 2019

The light of passion in dreamy eyes, and a page of truth well read, The glorious thrill in a heart grown cold of the spirit I thought was dead, A song that goes to a comrade's heart, and a tear of pride let fall - And my soul is strong! and the world to me is a grand world after all! ...../// greatly written

1 0 Reply
Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh 19 January 2019

So optimistic and charming.......Like it.

1 0 Reply
Ratnakar Mandlik 19 January 2019

An exceptionally positive approach towards life has enhanced the inspirational value of this great poem.

1 0 Reply
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Henry Lawson

Henry Lawson

Grenfell, New South Wales
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