Now by Edwin Markham

Now by Edwin Markham

In an old city by the storied shores

Where the bright summit of Olympus soars

,A cryptic statue mounted towards the light-

Heel-winged, tip-toed and poised for instant flight.

“O statue, tell your name,” a traveler cried,

And solemnly the marble lips replied;

“Men call me Opportunity: I lift

My winged feet from earth to show how swift

My flight, how short my stay-

How Fate is ever waiting on the way.”

“But why that tossing ringlet on your brow?”

“That men may seize me any moment” Now,

NOW is my other name: to-day my date:

O traveler, to-morrow is too late!”