Poems (Angier)/Why Should I Stay?

by Annie Lanman Angier

WHY SHOULD I STAY?

Why should I stay?—the world hath lost its power
 To lure my spirit from its destined home—
The stem is broken, drooping is the flower—
The leaves are fading, and the tempests lower—
 For me earth hath no charm,
     Why should I stay?

Why should I stay?—when wintry storms arise,
 When autumn blasts have leafless left the trees,
The song-bird plumes its wings for sunnier skies,
The nest forsakes, nor wastes its breath in sighs—
 Thus would I speed my flight:
     Why should I stay?

Why should I stay?—the loved are gone before;
 They on whose breast in infancy I leaned;
The haven gained, life's stormy voyage o'er,
Moored is their bark—on yonder peaceful shore
 They wait to welcome me—
     Why should I stay?

Why should I stay?—when heaven reveals its light;
 I see its pearly gate, its crystal stream;
Here forms I love grow shadowy to my sight,—
Thus fade the things of Time, in death's dark night—
 Thy dawn, Eternity, is just in view—
     Why should I stay?

Why should I stay?—why linger here below,
 Where joy but ends in grief—hope's light is quenched in tears;
There, all is glad fruition, none have cause of woe.
Since I have told you why I long to go,
 Tell me, ye loved of Earth,
     Why should I stay?

Why should I stay?—dumb is each tongue.I hear
 No answer to my earnest question given—
Silent the lip, but speaks the glistening tear—
The welcome sound of chariot-wheels breaks on my ear,
 They wait to bear me hence,
     Why should I stay?