Poems (Angier)/Only Listen

by Annie Lanman Angier

ONLY LISTEN.

On the spirit's ear there linger,
 Often linger, like a spell,
Sounds, as if an infant's finger
 Touched a silver bell:
Now the strains are slow and sad,
 Now more cheerful;
As the heart is grieved or glad,
 Hoping or fearful.
          Only listen!

Only listen!—they are speaking,
 Voices speaking sweet and low;
Sweet as perfumed breath of summer.
 Tuneful as the brooklet's flow:
When a look unkind is given,
 When an angry word is said;
Hark! they whisper—patience, pardon,
 Bend the knee, and bow the head.
          Only listen!

Warning now, then chiding, cheering,
 With a song of pleasant land,
Where the careworn brow and furrowed
 Is by heavenly zephyrs fanned:
O! bid welcome these dear Voices,
 For from lips of Love they come;
In the soul they make sweet music,
 When all human tongues are dumb.
          Only listen!

Many-toned these inward Voices—
 Ever pleading for the right;
Only listen, they will teach thee
 How the burden is made light:
When each earthly passion slumbers,
 O'er the spirit gently steal
These soft chimes, whose soothing numbers
 Come like balm, heart-wounds to heal.
          Only listen!