The speaker describes a long journey that has nearly reached its decisive point: a strange fork in the road of existence. One branch reads “Eternity — by Term,” a terminal. The travelers, suddenly awestruck, find their feet moving forward with reluctance. Behind them lies the familiar, but ahead, a dark wood — the Forest of the Dead — separates them from any known destination. There is no hope of retreat; the way back is sealed. Before them, Eternity’s white flag hangs — sign of surrender or truce — and God waits at every gate. The mood is tense and uncanny — a mix of quiet dread and profound wonder. The speaker feels the weight of inevitability, a pause at the threshold of something vast and inescapable. It’s a vision of death as a boundary approached step by step, with awe and eerie stillness.
Our journey had advanced -- — Summary
Our journey had advanced -- Our feet were almost come To that odd Fork in Being's Road -- Eternity -- by Term --
Our pace took sudden awe -- Our feet -- reluctant -- led -- Before -- were Cities -- but Between -- The Forest of the Dead --
Retreat -- was out of Hope -- Behind -- a Sealed Route -- Eternity's White Flag -- Before -- And God -- at every Gate --