Poems (Van Rensselaer)/Listen, My Sister

by Mariana Griswold Van Rensselaer

LISTEN, MY SISTER

Hast thou heard the demands of the core of thy heart,
My sister?—singled them out, set them apart
From the wide vague fancies, the keen brief pangs of desire,
The longings that pass as a breath
Or blaze as a fire
That scorches and scars? Hast thou tried to make sure
What good thou shalt crave of thy life, to endure
For thy life, unto death?

Find it, my sister. Single it out; look deep
In thy soul and search well. Test the strength
Of what seemeth thine uttermost wish by the length
Of the days that may dawn ere the last bringeth sleep;
And balance its weight
As of jewels and gold
That may buy thee content with the wealth of thy fate,
Though but brief be the hours thou shalt hold
To thy bosom thy treasure.

By all else thou couldst have thou shalt measure
The worth of what seemeth the most and the best;
And when thou hast finished the quest,
Knowing surely thine ultimate need,
Make ready to forfeit all else. The great good must be bought;
Somewhat thou must pay as the meed
Of thy birthright, for God giveth nothing for naught;
And his price may be great.

Thy life is thine all: do thy utmost that so
It may yield thee its utmost. Be patient to wait
For fruition, be instant to know
In what field, from what seed-pod, the harvest may grow.
Ask aid of the vision that sees thee most clearly—thy own;
And ask of the wisdom of souls that have tested and known.
—Ah little sister and young, I have known, I have lived; I am right;
Believe when I tell thee what far and forever outweigheth the rest:
The heart of a man on thy heart day and night,
A child on thy breast.