Poems (Terry, 1861)/Truths

by Rose Terry Cooke

TRUTHS.

  I wear a rose in my hair,
   Because I feel like a weed;
  Who knows that the rose is thorny
   And makes my temples bleed?
If one gets to his journey's end, what matter how galled the steed?

  I gloss my face with laughter,
   Because I cannot be calm;
  When you listen to the organ,
   Do you hear the words of the psalm?
If they give you poison to drink, 'tis better to call it balm.

  If I sneer at youth's wild passion,
   Who fancies I break my heart?
  "Tis this world's righteous fashion,
   With a sneer to cover a smart.
Better to give up living than not to play your part.

  If I scatter gold like a goblin,
   My life may yet be poor.
  Does Love come in at the window
   When Money stands at the door?
I am what I seem to men. Need I be any more?

  God sees from the high blue heaven,
   He sees the grape in the flower;
  He hears one's life-blood dripping
   Through the maddest, merriest hour;
He knows what sackcloth and ashes hide in the purple of power.

  The broken wing of the swallow
   He binds in the middle air;
  I shall be what I am in Paradise—
   So, heart, no more despair!
Remember the blessed Jesus, and wipe his feet with thy hair.