To My Own Soul

Written by Swami Vivekananda, Composed @ Ridgely Manor in upstate New York in November 1899 and it is reproduced from CW 8:170.


Hold yet a while, Strong Heart,
Not part a lifelong yoke
Though blighted looks the present, future gloom.

And age it seems since you and I began our
March up hill or down. Sailing smooth o'er
Seas that are so rare--
Thou nearer unto me, than oft-times I myself--
Proclaiming mental moves before they were!

Reflector true--Thy pulse so timed to mine,
Thou perfect note of thoughts, however fine--
Shall we now part, Recorder, say?

In thee is friendship, faith,
For thou didst warn when evil thoughts were brewing--
And though, alas, thy warning thrown away,
Went on the same as ever--good and true.