THE HUNGER
Sometimes when the curtains are lowered, an' the world is shut away,
An' the embers glow in the fire-grate like the burnin' steps o' day,
From the bounds o' the land o' spirits I feel you drawin' near
An' above the tickin' o' my clock I hear you whisper, "Dear!"
An' sometimes when I linger in the old, old garden spot
I seem to trace your tender face in a fair forget-me-not;
An' the gnawin' hunger o ' my soul is lost for a little while
In the sacred recollection o' your sweet an' deathless smile.
An' sometimes in the star-lit night when the earth is hush'd an' still,
An' the silver moon is pinion'd to a star above the hill,
My dream ships go a-sailin' o'er the Seas o' Yesterday
An' your fairy voice comes singin' like the birds across the way.
An' sometimes I seem to catch a glint o ' sunny, golden hair
As the sunlight throws a shadow 'cross the room an' over there
Where you used to sit an' watch me bendin' o'er a yieldin' page;
But my pen is still'd an' rustin' … an' the time seems such an age!
The dreams I built in olden days are lost in the dark o' grief,
An' like a wind-swept tree that craves for a single, clingin' leaf,
My soul is hungry for the touch of a soft, caressin' hand;
For the tender eyes of a lost one … who knew … an' could understand!
A PRAYER
O give me the strength, dear God of heaven,
When the mighty test of courage comes—
Perchance in the rattle of steel and bronze,
And the roar and rumble of martial drums;
If Thou, O Creator, shouldst deem it meet
That I face the onward charging line—
Pray give me the strength to die like a man.
When they shall pierce this heart of mine!
O give me the strength, dear God of heaven,
When the great test shall come to me
In the solemn hush of the star-lit night
And where no mortal eyes can see;
O give me the strength to meet the test—
The courage of Thy heart divine,
To baffle the arts of the unseen powers
Seeking to rule this soul of mine!
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