Poems (Hoffman)/The Departed Friend
THE DEPARTED FRIEND
And thou art gone, whose sympathy made daysOf nervous dread and silent agonyInto thank-offerings of prayer and praiseFor one kind friend, one who was kind to me!Oh, you may think it was the daily actsOf thoughtfulness, all for my comfort done!Often the setting its bright jewel lacks,A hollow thing when sympathy is goneIs the cold deed—that lifeless ministryThat freezes all the springs of hope in me,Think not I have forgotten one who cares.