Poems (Barker)/Waiting for the Morning

by Alice J. Green Barker

Waiting For The Morning.

We are waiting for the morning,
 Stranded on a rocky shore,
Though we catch no gleam of brightness,
 And the billows wildly roar;
We are waiting for the morning
 When its light at last appears,
We can make our way in safety,
 While our bark the danger clears.

We, are waiting for the morning
 When at last it dawneth bright,
We with well united efforts
 Will escape this gloomy night;
And before the shadows lengthen,
 And we hear the sullen roar
Of the dark and stormy billows,
 We can reach a brighter shore.

We are waiting for the morning
 On a weary battle plain,
When its beams upon us brighten,
 We can gather up the slain.
In the darkness black and awful
 We are kneeling sad and lone,
Hearing o'er again the battle
 With its bitter dying moan.

We are waiting for the morning,
 Then we make the soldiers grave
Placing but the simple head board
 There to mark our noble brave:
When we catch a gleam of morning,
 Then our task must be begun,
And it all must be completed
 Ere the setting of the sun.

We are waiting for the morning.
 In this earth so full of night,
Knowing that without its brightness
 We can never reach the light.
Oh! the dark and stormy river,
 Lying ever just before,
We must cross before we're landed
 On the bright immortal shore.