 | Poems and verses by Mary Mapes Dodge |  |
61
“THOUGHTS ARE THINGS.”
If times be hard and dollars few
When Christmas-tide draws near,
And hearty kindliness—ah, me!—
Knows it must empty-handed be,
Still are there needs that wait for you:
Some cloud to rift with sunny blue,
Some life that halts with hindering fear,
Lacking the simple gift of cheer.
When Christmas-tide draws near,
And hearty kindliness—ah, me!—
Knows it must empty-handed be,
Still are there needs that wait for you:
Some cloud to rift with sunny blue,
Some life that halts with hindering fear,
Lacking the simple gift of cheer.
Thoughts are our riches, bounteous, free;
We need not empty-handed be!
Obey the oracle divine
That makes our inmost self its shrine.
Harken:
“Give vexing care swift wings,
And to your soul hold near
Only the thought that softly sings,
That brings you hope, and light, and cheer;
For thoughts are things.
Know that mere gifts of compliment
Wax poor ere Christmas lights are spent.
Remember,—and no longer sigh,—
The rarest gifts that gold can buy
Have little worth, however fair,
If strain of purse or anxious care
Hath robbed them of their true intent.”
We need not empty-handed be!
Obey the oracle divine
That makes our inmost self its shrine.
Harken:
“Give vexing care swift wings,
And to your soul hold near
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That brings you hope, and light, and cheer;
For thoughts are things.
Know that mere gifts of compliment
Wax poor ere Christmas lights are spent.
Remember,—and no longer sigh,—
The rarest gifts that gold can buy
Have little worth, however fair,
If strain of purse or anxious care
Hath robbed them of their true intent.”
From friend to friend, the choicest gift
That ever love can give
Is that which comes the heart to lift
Or help the soul to live.
Of all fair bounties ever bought,
Of gems or jewels rare,
What treasure like a loving thought,
Or love's far-reaching prayer!
That ever love can give
Is that which comes the heart to lift
Or help the soul to live.
Of all fair bounties ever bought,
Of gems or jewels rare,
What treasure like a loving thought,
Or love's far-reaching prayer!
Courage, and trust, and peace of mind,
Faith in the good in humankind,
These—ah, believe it!—if love brings
At Christmas-tide, are love's own best;
Yea, gifts more real than all the rest:
For thoughts are things.
Faith in the good in humankind,
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At Christmas-tide, are love's own best;
Yea, gifts more real than all the rest:
For thoughts are things.
| Poems and verses by Mary Mapes Dodge | |