 | Poems of courage |  |
20
WINTER RAIN
Falling upon the frozen world last night,I heard the slow beat of the Winter rain—
Poor foolish drops, down-dripping all in vain;
The ice-bound Earth but mocked their puny might,
Far better had the fixedness of white
And uncomplaining snows—which make no sign,
But coldly smile, when pitying moonbeams shine—
Concealed its sorrow from all human sight.
Long, long ago, in blurred and burdened years,
21
Though sinewy Fate deals her most skilful blow,
I do not waste the gall now of my tears,
But feed my pride upon its bitter, while
I look straight in the world's bold eyes, and smile.
52
RECOMPENSE
Straight through my heart this fact today,
By Truth's own hand is driven:
God never takes one thing away,
But something else is given.
By Truth's own hand is driven:
God never takes one thing away,
But something else is given.
I did not know in earlier years,
This law of love and kindness;
I only mourned through bitter tears
My loss, in sorrow's blindness.
This law of love and kindness;
I only mourned through bitter tears
My loss, in sorrow's blindness.
But, ever following each regret
O'er some departed treasure,
My sad repining heart was met
With unexpected pleasure.
O'er some departed treasure,
My sad repining heart was met
With unexpected pleasure.
53
I thought it only happened so;
But Time this truth has taught me—
No least thing from my life can go,
But something else is brought me.
But Time this truth has taught me—
No least thing from my life can go,
But something else is brought me.
It is the Law, complete, sublime;
And now, with Faith unshaken,
In patience I but bide my time
When any joy is taken.
And now, with Faith unshaken,
In patience I but bide my time
When any joy is taken.
No matter if the crushing blow
May for the moment down me,
Still, back of it waits Love, I know,
With some new gift to crown me.
May for the moment down me,
Still, back of it waits Love, I know,
With some new gift to crown me.
| Poems of courage | |