Poems (Carmichael)/Sorrow

by Sarah Elizabeth Carmichael

For works with similar titles, see Sorrow.

SORROW.

There are many tones of sorrow,
 But its saddest voice to me
Is the mocking laugh that triumphs
 In another's agony:
I could weep for those who suffer,
 But the souls that woe can please—
Whose joy is wrung from others' pain—
 I pity, pity these.

There are many tones of sorrow
 Poured upon the chords of life—
Murmurs of its ceaseless changing,
 Murmurs of its restless strife;
But to live till pity's pleading
 Changes to a mocking hiss,
Till feeling withers to a sneer,
 Oh! Father, spare me this.