Poems (Duer)/The Broken Wheel

by Alice Duer

THE BROKEN WHEEL.

Patience, poor heart! To-night thou shalt have rest—
 Rest, that I buy thee at the price of life.
Let those with strength and courage stand the test,
 Here will I end the strife.

Time's haggard eyes hold many tears like me,
 Not worth God's smile in life—much less his frown—
If, by its weight of wretchedness set free,
 One heavy tear drop down.

Call you it sin, O seekers after Truth—
 Sin, that I enter at Death's open door?
So be it. I was worthless from my youth:
 What matters one sin more?

But if my faults were great, my hopes were few:
 Who can do battle with a breaking heart?
I have deserted from the ranks, and you
 Will take no rebel's part.

I have made way for other fools to prate,
 For other eyes to seek for what is not,
For other hearts to fight against their fate,
 While youth's wild blood is hot.

I but return to God life's borrowed spark
 (Doubtless there is a God in Israel);
My eyes are tired, and Death's halls are dark:
 May I sleep long and well.

C. D.