Poems (Linn)/Life's Gold
LIFE'S GOLD.
WITHIN her chamber in the solemn night,
My soul, a miser, counted out her gold.
Her hoard of rich experience, wealth untold
By all save her;—memories dark and bright
From the dead past, whose ghosts rose still and white
Asking their own. Ghosts that I once made bold
To name my sorrows, but long since enrolled
Among the blest, wreathing their names in light.
Then through the darkness came a step, O Love!
All-conquering power! so he found me there
Amid my treasures; all the wealth that years
Had given my soul; and as he bent above
With countenance all radiantly fair,
I knew for this were coined life's smiles and tears.
My soul, a miser, counted out her gold.
Her hoard of rich experience, wealth untold
By all save her;—memories dark and bright
From the dead past, whose ghosts rose still and white
Asking their own. Ghosts that I once made bold
To name my sorrows, but long since enrolled
Among the blest, wreathing their names in light.
Then through the darkness came a step, O Love!
All-conquering power! so he found me there
Amid my treasures; all the wealth that years
Had given my soul; and as he bent above
With countenance all radiantly fair,
I knew for this were coined life's smiles and tears.