The Unconquered Air, and Other Poems (1912)/For the Birthday of William Dean Howells

The Unconquered Air, and Other Poems by Florence Earle Coates
For the Birthday of William Dean Howells

This poem was not included in Mrs. Coates' collected Poems (1916, in 2 vols.).

FOR THE BIRTHDAY OF WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS

March 1, 1912

Seventy-five glad years of blessing,
And the hope of blessing more;
Memories the heart caressing,
Dreams that beckoning wait, before;

Life—full life, made rich by giving:
Life that can create, and lend
To the poor—delight in living,
To the lonely—many a friend

Wisdom that can teach through laughter—
Seeming but to entertain,
Or through pathos which, thereafter,
Leaves no dull, regretful pain;

Years of blessing, years of kindness,
And the courage that can smile
Though the eyes be dim to blindness
With a sorrow, hid the while,—

These are thine, thou selfless schemer,
Chanter of brave carmina:
These thy gifts to us, dear dreamer,—
Traveler from Altruria.

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