EAST AND WEST

The Day has never understood the Gloaming or the Night;

Though sired by one Creative Power, and nursed at Nature's breast;

The White Man ever fails to read the Dark Man's heart aright;

Though from the self-same Source they came, upon the self-same quest;

So deep and wide, the Great Divide,

Between the East and West.

But like a shadow on a screen, mine eyes behold, above

The yawning gulf, a dim forecast, of structures strong and broad;

Where caste, and colour prejudice, by countless feet down trod,

With old traditions crushed by Time, pave smooth the bridge of Love;

And all the creed that men shall heed

Is consciousness of God.