Poems (Blake)/My Griefs

by Mary Elizabeth Blake

IN SORROW.

MY GRIEFS!

I have a grief against the radiant day,
    In that it fails to shine
    On those dear eyes of mine
That used to greet its coming. Day by day
They lie, close shut in shadows cold and gray.

I have a grief against the silent night,
    In that it fails to rest
    Close folded on its breast
The little feet I love, whose echo light
Made all the dreams that filled my future bright.

I have a grief against the smiling earth,
    Because within its round
    My little hearts have found
But wee, wee-graves; while I, who gave them birth,
Stand lonely, weeping by my darkened hearth.
······
"O torn spirit! Tried and troubled soul,"
    Methought a voice replied,
    "God's heaven is fair and wide,
With one swift bound, for earth's poor meagre dole,
Thy little hearts have won and grasped the whole.

"Fair on the shining hills of Paradise
    The wee feet rest and play
    In light and love alway;
And God's great glory lights the wakened eyes
Beyond the shadows of our clouded skies.

"Look up! Look up! His ways are ever kind,
    His leadings not in vain;
    Thine is not loss, but gain;
Life, Love, and Joy, thy new-born angels find,—
All heaven rejoices! Thou alone art blind!"