Support First Things by turning your adblocker off or by making a  donation. Thanks!

The beauty luring men aboard the ship
In time’s a wreck, unsightly and ignored.
The handsome playboy charming all aboard,
While juggling five affairs without a slip,
Succumbs to age, and cannot book a trip
Except the one across the Styx’ grim ford.
Cabana couples, bronzed on isles they’ve toured,
All yield to rest-home pallor, and the grippe.

One restless traveler turns his thought-worn brow
Away from cruise-line glitz to seek a berth
In pews that line a craft with skyward prow
That splits the blue above the tourists’ earth:
A pilgrim sets brave sails for distant shores
Aglow with mansions found in no brochures.

Dear Reader,

We launched the First Things 2023 Year-End Campaign to keep articles like the one you just read free of charge to everyone.

Measured in dollars and cents, this doesn't make sense. But consider who is able to read First Things: pastors and priests, college students and professors, young professionals and families. Last year, we had more than three million unique readers on firstthings.com.

Informing and inspiring these people is why First Things doesn't only think in terms of dollars and cents. And it's why we urgently need your year-end support.

Will you give today?

Make My Gift