Poems (Barker)/Parted

by Alice J. Green Barker

Parted.

Carefully, tenderly lay her to rest,
Where the white lillies will bloom o'er her breast,
Telling her purity, telling her truth;
Emblem to all of her untainted youth.

Brush from her forehead the light sunny hair,
Fold the white hands o'er the bosom so fair;
Close the bright eyes, all the life-light has fled
From the dear face of our beautiful dead.

Then leave us alone, all alone by her side,
Too early we missed her, too early she died;
Oh! darling, our darling, wake from your long sleep,
With hearts that are breaking our vigil we keep.

She heeds not, she hears not our agonized cry;
Oh, why must the pure and beautiful die?
Where are you, our darling, our idolized one?
'Tis vain now to say, "His will ever be done."

But when we are weary with watching and pain,
Oh! will you, our loved one, be with us again?
Will you brush from our foreheads all traces of care?
And whisper, dear earth friends, I'll wait for you there.

Your form at the table we ever shall miss,
And often we'll wait for your fond goodnight kiss;
In dream-land we'll see you again in your place,
With the sunshine of love playing over your face.

But oh! we shall mourn as in sadness we wait,
'Till death for us opens the beautiful gate,
That leads to the home which is waiting for all,
When Jesus, our brother, so kindly shall call.

Then tenderly lay the tired body to rest,
Where the white lillies will bloom o'er her breast,
Emblem to all that her spirit has flown
To that land of bright gladness, her beautiful home.