Poems (Barker)/The Veil Thrown Aside

by Alice J. Green Barker

The Veil Thrown Aside.

Among that gay and festive throng
 I wandered idly dreaming,
Who 'mong that fair and laughing band,
 Like me were only seeming?
My laugh rang out so light and free,
 Yet all was mockery to me.

I heard the voices of my friends,
 And saw their sunny faces,
I could not look into each heart,
 With its bewildering mazes.
The painful throb I could not bear
Nor count each burning, unshed tear.

Alas! alas! how many times
 We cover up our sorrow
And from the glittering cloak of pride
 Our strength we often borrow.
But when alone, before our God,
Our hearts rebel against the rod.

How oft the burning tear is checked
 To hide its lingering traces;
Not oft the grief of youthful hearts,
 Is seen upon their faces.
Ah! hearts may bleed, long e'er they break,
And lips refuse the cup to take.

The bitterest sorrow of our lives
 Is often borne unaided,
The hopes that bright at morning bloom,
 Are oft by evening faded.
Over our hearts a cloak we wear,
Lest some may see the canker there.

Oh! is there not a land of light,
 Where life has more than dreaming?
Where sorrow never blights our youth,
 And pleasure is not seeming?
Where perfect peace to all is given,
Oh! is there mockery in heaven?