Poems (Jordan)/The Boon of Sorrow
THE BOON OF SORROW
Sorrow? It is the shadow cast by the bright wing of Joy! Here souls may rest in quietness from Life's strong heat;Here shed in peace, relieving tears, none to annoy, Or to disturb in such secluded, safe retreat.
Sometimes, if but for sake of rest, we welcome thee Oh, Grief! thy touch is kind,—though black-glov'd be the hand—Which beckons us from noisy scenes, that we may be A moment, where we Life may better understand,—
And feel the living heart still beating 'neath the sham,— The pretense of Earth's ev'ry empty mockery!Yes, time to think: to feel: and realize how tame Our wildest hope's fruition is! We joy to be
By thee inspired to noble thoughts, and lofty deeds Which write, indelibly, upon the passing yearsA tale which makes the stronger, better him who reads, E'en though 'tis written with our own heart's crimson tears!