Learning

THERE came to me from Nature’s calm,
From years of joy and sadness blent,
Hidden in every prayer and psalm,
A revelation of content.

A lesson from each bird and flower,
From common life and common men,
To teach the uses of the hour,
The harmony of “now” and “then.”

It bade my ancient sorrow cease,
And taught my stubborn lips to say :
“ He was my friend ; my years increase,
He died before his hair was gray.

“Although I cannot clasp his hand,
Or see his smile, my prayers were wrong.
Whoever seeks a better land
In living, cannot live too long.

“Let me work on till I can earn —
For my long past — a little leaven;
Let me stay in the world and learn
To say the alphabet of Heaven.

“Why should I place my happiness
In being equal with my friend ?
Why fret if men accomplish less
Than angels for the common end ?

“We are like two who sit and weave
On the same fabric, day by day ;
Why should the brother weaver grieve
If one has learned an easier way ?

“ Far better, with the earnest heart
That makes the humblest labor grand,
Study the secrets of his art,
Until he, too, shall understand.’'

Capricious Autumn, here and there,
Drops color with a careless hand ;
The sunshine and the morning air
Are freshening all the quiet land.

Gay asters fringe the garden walk ;
Yonder the reddening apples fall;
Above the dahlia’s ruined stalk
The woodbine crimsons roof and wall.

I am content to sit and guide
My needle, deftly as I may,
Glad as the hour, and satisfied
To merge to-morrow in to-day;

To make my deeds and hopes agree,
Whatever guise the days may wear,
The sunlight of eternity
Rests on the time and makes it fair.