The Old Road to Paradise/Certainties

by Margaret Widdemer

CERTAINTIES

Whether you live by hut or throne
 Whether your feet tread stone or grass
Comes the one lad you shall never own
 Or the one lass;

Whether you've pence to spend or gold,
 Whether you've toil or time to weep,
Comes the one pain that may never be told
 And may never sleep;

Whether you weep or mock in pride,
 Whether you tell or still deny,
Comes the one scar that your heart shall hide
 Till the day you die!