Ye young debaters over the doctrine br Of the soul's immortality br I who lie here was the village atheist, br Talkative, contentious, versed in the arguments br Of the infidels. br But through a long sickness br Coughing myself to death br I read the Upanishads and the poetry of Jesus. br And they lighted a torch of hope and intuition br And desire which the Shadow, br Leading me swiftly through the caverns of darkness, br Could not extinguish. br Listen to me, ye who live in the senses br And think through the senses only: br Immortality is not a gift, br Immortality is an achievement; br And only those who strive mightily br Shall possess it.