All that is learnt was always plain

You’re not alone in seeing what you learn 

fade into nothing, into a vague fume

absent of meaning. So must spirit turn

from action to the knowledge of its doom.

As for the past, I’m always in its debt,

so I shall think of it without regret.

The journey up is just the journey down,

said Herakleitos, and he got it right.

We should pass onward without stare or frown,

accepting that high noon must lead to night.

Each destination has for us been set,

so I shall think of it without regret.

The youth who gazed up at the summer sky

is bald and grey, and almost out of time

to repent of each foolish act, or lie,

while grateful that his feet could bear the climb

to see reach the future with unclouded eye.

At times I lost, at others won the bet:

So I will think of it without regret.

There has been luck, and happy accident,

with stupid error, and with gross mistake,

enough to know that nothing I have meant

was wholly for my undeserving sake.

The path was dry, but it was also wet,

so I shall think of it without regret.

Hard winds have blown me on so many ways,

have taken me to harsh pain and fine joy,

and yet have given me so many days 

of honest happiness to just enjoy.

What I obtained is what I had to get,

so I shall think of it without regret.

My few abilities granted a chance

to see the world, and take into review 

how at each halt, or half-advance,

I found, and reverenced all that was new.

I saw the pale, and then I saw the jet,

so I shall think of it without regret.

I reached up to the limits of my power,

but what I held I knew could never last;

for some time soon comes the defining hour 

at which I may not quail but must stand fast.

I have learnt much from all whom I have met

so I shall think of it without regret.

I'm just another fish caught in the net,

so I shall think of it without regret.