YESTERDAY—TO-DAY—TO-MORROW!
Reading edition
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BY CHARLES D. GARDETTE, M. D.
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Last night an aged spirit, worn with care,
Forsook its earthly tenement—to soar
To that unknown, mysterious Refuge, where
The troubled rest—the weary toil no more!
Gently and painfully the “Essence” crept
From the o’ertasked clay, and all was still!
Dimmed eyes saw through their tears—the sufferer slept,
And stricken hearts throbbed with a grateful thrill.
As prayers went up, hope-laden, to the throne
Of the Omnipotent! All vain! All vain!
Death hath already one more life-blade mown!
Rise, lone ones, see! kneel! kneel and pray again!
* * * * *
The sun, this morn, looked with unclouded face
O’er the new wakened earth, and Nature smiled
Upon her children with a freshened grace,
From last night’s harrowing vigil undefiled!
A festal scene! bright eyes beam doubly bright,
And loving hearts thrill yet more lovingly,
A youthful pair in blissful bond unite,
And Heaven approves their pledge of unity!
Thy brightest smile, oh Morn! thou need’st must wear!
Thy fairest flowers, oh Nature! thou must strew!
To light these young hearts on their path of care,
And with fresh fragrance wavering hopes renew!
* * * * *
Drearily, heavily, through the thick air
Struggles the sunbeam to pierce with his glare!
Droopingly, listlessly, hang the wet leaves;
Slowly the mist trickles down o’er the eaves
Seeming, in monotone mournful, to say—
“Dust to dust!” “Time flitteth!” “What is to-day!”
Silently, solemnly, on the damp sod,
Kneel a few stricken ones, humbly, to God!
Tearfully, trustfully, goes up the prayer:
“Him they loved—him they lost”—may they meet there!