Poems (Ryan)/A Gem Without a Flaw

by Mary C. Ryan

A GEM WITHOUT A FLAW.

I tried to buy a jewel bright,
 Of purest serenest ray;
Without a flaw to mar the beauteous gleams
 That o'er its surface play.

I thought I'd wear a thornless rose,
 Forever upon my heart;
A sweet red rose, that to life's dreary scenes
 Rich fragrance would impart.

And then I sought to find a friend,
 Who faultless would ever prove;
His heart, a cup to hold the sweets of life,
 Receptacle of love.

I sought in vain to find one joy
 That was unalloyed with woe,
One flawless gem, one perfect thing of clay,
 One spot of peace below.

I searched in vain, I could not find
 One single perfect thing;
When lo! came whispers from the spirit land,
 A flaw is but death's sting.

All blemished things must pass away,
 Earth's fairest flowers must die,
But perfect gems some day you'll surely find
 With immortality.