WHEN first we met, beloved, rememberest thou
How all my nature was athirst and faint?
My soul’s high powers lay wasting still and slow,
While my sad heart sighed forth its ceaseless plaint.
For frowning pride life’s summer waves did lock
Away from light, – their restless murmuring hushed;
But thou didst smite the cold, defying rock,
And full and fast the living waters gushed!
O, what a summer glory life put on!
What morning freshness those swift waters gave,
That leaped from darkness forth into the sun,
And mirrored heaven in every smallest wave!
* * * * *
The cloud that darkened long our sky of love,
And flung a shadow o’er life’s Eden bloom,
Hath deepened into night, around, above, –
But night beneficent and void of gloom, –
The dews of peace and faith’s sweet quiet bringing,
And memory’s starlight, as joy’s sunlight fades,
While, like the nightingale’s melodious singing,
The voice of Hope steals out amid the shades.
Now it hath come and gone, the shadowed day,
The time of farewells that beheld us part,
I miss thy presence from my side alway, –
Thy smile’s sweet comfort raining on my heart.
Yes, we are parted. Now I call thy name,
And listen long, but no dear voice replies:
I miss thine earnest praise, thy gentle blame,
And the mute blessing of thy loving eyes.
Yet no, not parted. Still in life and power
Thy spirit cometh over wild and wave,
Is ever near me in the trial-hour,
A ready help, a presence strong and brave.
Thy love breathes o’er me in the winds of heaven,
Floats to me on the tides of morning light,
Descends upon me in the calms of even,
And fills with music all the dreamy night.
It falleth as a robe of pride around me,
A royal vesture rich. with purple gleams, –
It is the glory wherewith life hath crowned me,
The large fulfilment of my soul’s long dreams!
It is a p
(Grace Greenwood)
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Based on Topics: Love Poems, Life Poems, Night Poems, Light Poems, Sadness Poems, Time Poems, Nature Poems, War & Peace Poems, Heaven Poems, Dreams Poems, Name PoemsBased on Keywords: rememberest, trial-hour