Littell's Living Age/Volume 126/Issue 1625/After Many Days

AFTER MANY DAYS.

How lonely seemed her life now she had lost
The love that gave to life its grace and worth!
How cold the clouded skies, how low and dull
What erst she deemed most beautiful on earth!

Hers was a feeble mind that could not rise
Out of herself to things of higher power;
Busy with trifles, while an aching want
Deepened and widened every listless hour.

And friends were kind, but, careless, passed her by;
One of themselves, and happy as things go.
Talked with her, helped her not, nor soothed
The leaden sorrow that they did not know.

None gave her work to pass the weary days,
Nor sought she any, lived in dull content,
Yet thankful if a passing sunbeam strayed.
For any joy that God in pity sent.

Then came the Lord to that deserted door
That all men passed with hurrying heedless feet.
And she rose up, and opening found at last
All she had lost within His presence sweet.

Caroline North.
Good Words.