sign above the water

if we should measure just how far to glide
through the soft air and where to come right down
upon the soft warm surface you'd not drown
any of your fears in the long slow tide
nor let us wait for motions to collide
we'd have to find our own ways to renown
of that there is no doubt and yet the crown
of all our seeking here is joy not pride
so much of time is found within the place
where each of us holds back the force and sense
that we have stored up since our time of birth
not one plain mark should show up on each face
nor are we able to make vain pretence
but have to take each moment at our worth