Author: Gilbert Keith Chesterton

---

    After one moment when I bowed my head
    And the whole world turned over and came upright,
    And I came out where the old road shone white,
    I walked the ways and heard what all men said,
    Forests of tongues, like autumn leaves unshed,
    Being not unlovable but strange and light;
    Old riddles and new creeds, not in despite
    But softly, as men smile about the dead.

    The sages have a hundred maps to give
    That trace their crawling cosmos like a tree,
    They rattle reason out through many a sieve
    That stores the sand and lets the gold go free:
    And all these things are less than dust to me
    Because my name is Lazarus and I live.

---

Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a poignant exploration of self-discovery and spiritual resurrection, drawing from the biblical story of Lazarus. The tone is contemplative and perhaps a little defiant, as the speaker experiences a profound transformation that allows them to see the world anew, symbolized by the 'old road' shining 'white'.

The poem employs vivid imagery, such as 'Forests of tongues' and 'autumn leaves unshed,' which contribute to its deeply introspective mood. The speaker listens to the world's wisdom ('old riddles and new creeds') and finds it lacking in comparison to their personal revelation—a sentiment reflected in the final, powerful declaration: 'Because my name is Lazarus and I live'.

The poem's structure, primarily composed of rhymed quatrains, helps to underscore the rhythm of thought and feeling. This formal structure contrasts with the speaker's internal upheaval, creating a tension that echoes the poem's exploration of the dichotomy between received wisdom and personal experience. The poem's central conceit, the comparison of the speaker to Lazarus, is a potent symbol of rebirth and new understanding, making the poem a profound meditation on the transformative power of self-knowledge.