Poems (Sharpless)/"As a Little Child"

by Frances M. Sharpless

"AS A LITTLE CHILD"

Wild was the storm! The small bark thrilled
 Beneath the stress of wind and wave;
With terror every heart was filled,
 There seemed no human power to save.
But as the livid lightning glared
 A gentle whisper reached my ear,
"Dear lady, do not be so scared,
 For, don't you know, my Father's here?"

Rebuked were anxious thoughts and fears;
 I bent to thank her with a kiss,
That little maid, whose three brief years
 Endued with such a faith as this.
While we whose silvering hairs attest
 The love that folds us close about,
We who should trust "our Father" best,
 Dishonor by our timid doubt.

The sudden summer rage soon passed;
 The dark clouds turned to snowy fleece:
And a sweet thought around me cast
 A tender radiance of peace.
Oft since, when o'er life's changing sky
 The tempest gathers dark and wild,
My heart has put its terror by
 To trust as did that loving child.