Poems (Linn)/Worldliness
WORLDLINESS.
LIFE'S petty labors move the heart too much.The soul spends precious gold to purchase dross;We clasp some bauble close, forgetting lossOf heart-blood spent in gaining. And the touchOf dear loved hands; the scent of summer flowers;The silent, shining stars; the arch of rainAbove a hill; our children's smiles,—are vainTo move us, till we see they are not ours.No more, no more! This is the wizard's wandThat changes all to gold. Oh! could we knowThe blessing of sweet moments as they go,The world would have less need of lock and bandAgainst its evil. Envy, selfish fearsWould be unknown as in pure childhood's years.