Poems (Blake)/God's Acre

by Mary Elizabeth Blake

For works with similar titles, see God's Acre.

GOD'S ACRE.

Where God's fair acre rests enthroned
 Above the sloping meadow,
I sit beside the wee, wee mound
 That holds my heart in shadow.

Around me rose and lily bloom,
 Above the wild bird passes,
And violets faint with love's perfume
 Lie hid in tall, green grasses.

The city's clustered steeples gleam,
 Near thought of heaven bestowing,
As if in some fair pictured dream,
 Across the landscape showing.

All thought of life and life's unrest
 Are hushed within this portal,
The peace that fills each quiet breast
 Breathes only love immortal.

And yet—and yet—my heavy eyes
 Can scarcely see for weeping,
The tender, radiant summer skies,
 In calm, blue silence sweeping.

O birds that sing! O flowers that wave!
 In vain your joys are given,—
The shadow of one little grave
 Can reach from earth to heaven.