Poems (Ryan)/Years Pass Away

by Mary C. Ryan

YEARS PASS AWAY.

  Years pass away,
  Bright hopes decay,
And long before the hair is gray,
  A shade of gloom
  From the cold tomb
Darkens the lustre of life's day.

  Romances fade,
  Cares bow the head
Before life's strife is e'en begun;
  The weary heart
  In noonday's heat
Must disenchanted toil alone.

  Then love's sweet bloom
  In winter's gloom
Often blossoms in sullen hate,
  And beauty's vale
  In one fierce gale
Is ruined and left desolate.

  But longing soul,
  Ages must roll
O'er thee when naught is left of earth;
  A moment here,
  Forever there,
Beyond life's darksome portals, death.

  So look on high,
  Beyond the sky.
That faith's pure light may guide your eyes,
  Gleaming afar,
  Through gates ajar,
To lead from earth to Paradise.