Poems (Jordan)/Life's Interpretation

by Rebecca Queen Jordan

LIFE'S INTERPRETATION

Alas, a dreary world it is,
 Where Life groans 'neath the wheels of Sorrow;
Today, a path of mysteries
 Through which we pass to the Tomorrow!
Monotonous it is, to thus
 Go on, yet never reach an ending;
Can anyone explain to us
 Whither this strange earth-life is tending?

A cheerless world, where hopes must grow
 On tender vines—so easy broken!
But has it not, in whispers low,
 To us of future bliss oft spoken?
And made us feel that the grand Real
 Must be, or Dreams had no existence;—
And, though the mists of time conceal,
 Earth's life shown Heaven in the distance?

The restless wings of Discontent
 Are but outspread to lift us higher;
And Joy's bright life must soon be spent,
 To bring unto conscious grief, Desire!
The hand of Pain were raised in vain
 If it set not our hearts to crying
And heaven's light will quite explain
 The meaning of Earth's life, so trying!

Ah, yes—thank God! there's Life beyond;
 The Real has wakened up the Seeming;
Shade but to Substance can respond,
 And Heav'n will end Earth's restless dreaming!
Can Thought soar high'r, or Hope aspire
 Above God's thought or wish of giving?
Nay, spirits never can desire
 Beyond their measure for receiving!