What Should I Do? by Susan Coolidge

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 17, 1907

What Should I Do?

By Susan Coolidge

If I were told that I must die to-morrow, That the next sun Which sinks should bear me past all fear and sorrow For any one, All the fight fought, all the short jour- ney through, What should I do?

I do not think that I should shrink or falter, But just go on, Doing my work, nor change nor seek to alter Aught that is gone; But rise and move and love and smile and pray For one more day.

But if a wondrous hand from the blue yonder Held out a scroll, On which my life was writ, and I with wonder Beheld unroll To a long century’s end its mystic clew, What should I do?

What could I do, O blessed Guide and Master, Other than this? Still to go on as now, not slower, faster, Nor fear to miss The road, although so very long it be, While led by thee;

Step after step, feeling thee close beside me, Although unseen, Through thorns, through flowers, and whether the tempest hide thee Or heaven serene, Assured thy faithfulness can not betray, Thy love decay.

— Susan Coolidge.