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Two Optimists
By R. W. G.
(A Letter to Joseph Jefferson, Acknowledging a
Copy of Helen Keller’s Essay on “Optimism”)
TO send fit thanks, I would I had the art,For this small book that holds a mighty heart,Enshrining, as it does, brave Helen’s creed. In thought and word; in many a lovely deed;In facing what would crush a lesser soul,Making of barriers helps to reach the goal;In sympathy with all; in human kindnessTo the blind of heart (dear girl! not this her blindness!),As well as to her brethren of the darkAnd silent world, who through her see and hark;—In bringing out of darkness a great light,Which burns and beacons high in all men’s sight,That exquisite spirit is true optimist! Yet there are other names in the bright list:If faith in man and woman that still lasts,Though chilled by seventy winters’ bitter blasts;If seeing, as you see, the good in evil,And even something Christian in the devil;If power to take misfortune as a friendAnd to be cheerful to the very end;Not to be spoiled by praise, nor deeply stungBy the detractor’s sharp and envious tongue;If living in fairy-land as really nowAs when heaven’s dew was fresh on childhood’s brow;If seeing, in fine, this world as through a prismOf lovely colors is true optimism,Then Joseph is true optimist no less,And Heaven sent both this troubled world to bless.
