Poems (Rice)/Resurrection Flower

by Maria Theresa Rice

RESURRECTION FLOWER.

FROM a sainted maiden,
 From her bosom cold,
Came this lovely blossom
 Which I now behold;
Shrouded long in mystery
 Did its beauty glow,
Round the princely maiden
 Centuries ago.

Egypt's fairest daughter—
 Sure an angel's hand
Led her 'cross the water
 To the spirit-land;
Loving hands and gentle
 Embalmed her for the tomb,
Bade its germ to bourgeon,
 In ages after bloom.

Could the loved departed
 Reanimate that form,
Could the dews and sunshine
 Precious, genial, warm,
Bring back life and feeling,—
 Alas! alas! 'tis vain
To call the sainted maiden
 Back to earth again.

A prototype, its beauty,
 Of gifts divinely fair;
And easily 'tis blasted
 To blossom brighter there;
The heart shall never weary,
 The soul shall feel no blight,
Symbolical of heaven,
 Of joy, of hope, delight.

Come and read the story
 Upon its petals fair,
How we may shine in glory,
 How we may enter there;
Beautiful, transcendent,
 So may my soul arise,
And bloom for aye immortal,
 In God's own paradise.