CLOUDS IN MAY.
Reading edition
"May is here, sweet 'Mois de Marie,' but my sky is overcast!"—ST. GERMAN.
The hush of twilight, fair and still Great cloud-ranks, bright with gorgeous dyes That linger in the Western skies, Ere Night's deep gloom steals o'er the hill. The wind sighs softly round the eaves, The May's fresh sweetness fills the air, And Peace seems hovering everywhere. Oh, restless heart, that aches and grieves!— Grieves when the earth is bright and green, And Summer's balmy breeze and flowers Are brightening, charming all the hours That span the long, long "bridge between" Dear hopes and their fruition, laid In many a way, by human plan. But ah! these dream-world thoughts of man Soon, soon can droop, and blight and fade!
We know 'tis best. Then wherefore try To ask whence come the darksome clouds? We know 'tis God's own hand that shroud Our coming days in mysteries. "A little while," and there is room In that bright, blessed land above, To see, and feel, and taste the love That sends us now the clouds and gloom. Why come the clouds? God only knows Why human hearts need pain and woe; But Faith's glad gleams still come and go, Like sunbeams flashing on the snows Of earth's dark winter-time, and He Shall smile at last, and frosts shall melt, And heavenly sunshine shall be felt When Time fades in Eternity