Poems (Van Vorst)/The Reward
THE REWARD
I heard the little cricket cry Last night in the dull rain—as I Put on my dark, my sombre dress. (I had no ear for happiness!)
And as I braided up my hair I saw the white threads, silvered there,And on my cheeks the mark of tears,My only kisses thro' the years.
Sudden—that little voice I heard—Finer than call of cheerful bird. A human—tender—crying sound In the low grasses near the ground.
Just as I said:—"I will take CheerInstead of Joy!"—Your footsteps, Dear, Fell on the garden walk . . . and when I put my candle out,—. . . Again
Late in the night I heard it plain The cricket, singing in the rain.