Poems (Ryan)/Years Pass Away
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.