Poems (Sharpless)/A Vigil

by Frances M. Sharpless

For works with similar titles, see A Vigil.

A VIGIL

One night while keeping watch o'er the sleeping,
 While Death's cold Presence loomed dark above,
She, gently coming, like shades at gloaming,
 Brought comfort to me, she whom I love.

Tho' Death has claimed her, Love still retained her;
 When I wept no Heaven could hold her then;
But angels leaving, to soothe my grieving,
 She came, love-lighted, to earth again.

No word was spoken, the hush, unbroken,
 Fell o'er the head where the fever throbbed;
But her look of gladness softened my sadness,
 I sighed more gently where erst I sobbed.

If such joy be given, like hers, in Heaven,
 'Tis smiles for weeping, 'tis life for Death;
With joy, not grieving, we should be leaving
 The graves that holdeth our loves beneath.

So thro' the dreariness I felt her nearness,
 I felt the Peace she had brought from Heaven;
And, bowing slowly to spell so holy,
 I yielded fully what He had given.

Oh! early taken! I felt forsaken
 When God thus called thee, "Sweet, come above";
Yet in that vision I know thy mission
 Stretched far beyond my blind human love.