Poems (Linn)/Behind

by Edith Willis Linn

BEHIND.

BEHIND each noble action
 Its saintlier being dwells;
Behind each kind word spoken
 Love's tide unceasing swells.

Back of the saddest sinning
 Abides a pure ideal,
That only lacks the power
 To make its beauty real.

It is man's darkest evil
 This nobler self to slay;
It is God's highest mandate
 Its promptings to obey.