Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/Life's Changes

Life's Changes.

How strange is life,—how changeful time!One day the smiles of love may cheerThe heart, like joyous nuptial chime,Which falls upon the listening earSweet and symphonious, and the soulIs filled with dulcet thoughts of joy.Oh, would life's little round aye rollOn thus, with nought e'er to alloyOur mutual bliss; but time to see,As it sped on its swift winged way,Our hearts in closer unityOf love and friendship joined each day.But, no, alas! time onward flies,And brings the ever-changeful years,Which nip earth's truest, tenderest tiesFrom us, thus turning joys to sighsOf saddening grief, and love-lit eyesTo weeping sorrows bitter tears.So on the rolling tide of life,Man—frail, weak bark—must ever ride,'Midst swelling seas of storm and strife;But let us still in Him confide,Who sends for every storm a calm,For every wound a healing balm.Then to omniscient care resignThe trying troubles of each day,And ne'er at His just will repine,Who "takes but what He gave, away."O God! how hard for us to say,"Thy Will, O Lord, be done!" alway.With intermingled joys and tearsHaste on the short and fleeting yearsOf life, in which loved friends depart;Yet memory holds them dear to heart.'Tis sweet, when youthful years have fled,And time has tinged our locks with grey,To muse on happy scenes which madeUs light and gay in life's young day.Or when with years maturer crowned,And on our minds is left th' impressOf every change in life's strange round,We love each varied scene to trace. Oft when alone, in some calm hour,When hushed and stilled is outward life,Keen memory with reflecting powerBrings visions sad, yet sweet, and rifeWith musings strange on quiet deadOn hearts that once did warm glowWith life and love, but now have fled,Ne'er to return again, ah, no!