The Cornflower, and Other Poems Part 30

Your presence is a psalm of praise, And as its measure grandly rings G.o.d's finger finds my heart and plays A _te deum_ upon its strings.

I never see you but I feel That I in grat.i.tude must kneel.

Your head down-bent, the brow of snow Crowned with the s.h.i.+ning braids of hair, To me, because I love you so, Is in itself a tender prayer, All faith, all meekness, and all trust-- "Amen!" I cry, because I must.

Your clear eyes hold the text apart, And shame my love of place and pelf With, "Love the Lord with all thine heart, And love thy neighbor as thyself!"

Dear eyes and true,--I sorely need More knowledge of your gracious creed.

About your lips the summer lies-- Who runs may read each subtle lure To draw me nearer to the skies, And make me strong, and keep me pure.

I loathe my worldliness and guile Each time your red lips on me smile.

The benediction of your face-- Your lifted face--doth make a road For white-robed peace and golden grace To reach my heart and take its load.

Dear woman saint, I bow the knee, And give G.o.d thanks for love and thee!

APRIL.

G.o.d's garden is this dim old wood, And hidden in its bosom The bursting bud, the feathery leaf And soft, sweet smelling blossom.

Ho! May is fair, and glorious June, In rose leaves doth enfold her; Their bloom is richer than my own, But mine is sweeter, bolder.

G.o.d's garden is this dim old wood, And I, the pretty vagrant, I am the gardener He sends To make it fair and fragrant.

IN MEMORIAM.

(_A Tribute to Mrs. George A. c.o.x._)

The Golden Rule--the blessed creed That shelters frail humanity, The tender thought for those in need, The charity of word and deed, Without which all is vanity--

This, friend, you made your very own, And yours the satisfying part To pluck the rose of love full blown, To reap the gladness you had sown With open hand and kindly heart.

Simplicity, the jewel rare, Whose gleam is ever true and warm-- That thing of worth beyond compare Which none but truly great may wear-- Adorned your life with power and charm.

Yours the sincerity that grips Fast hold of natures strong and wise; It thrilled you to your finger-tips, It set its seal on brow and lips, And shone within your dark, true eyes.

The throng knew not how rich the store Of sympathy and trust you had; Knew not you were, till life was o'er, G.o.d's almoner among His poor, G.o.d's comforter to sick and sad.

Too soon you went--we miss the cheer, The kindliness vouchsafed to all; The world seems strangely lone and drear When one whom many hearts hold dear Fares heavenward ere the shadows fall.

Too soon you went, and yet, maybe, Your work well done, your task complete, The soul of you turned longingly Toward gates of pearl and jasper sea And fields of Eden rarely sweet.