4648375Poems — Rose and RainbowFrances M. Sharpless

ROSE AND RAINBOW
Who can tell us, ah who?
How from the sunshine and dew
And the dark, damp lap of the earth,
The beautiful fragrant rose,
In her delicate sweetness grows
Till the heart of the summer glows,
In this exquisite birth!

The deadly mist of the sea,
How should it come to be
Yon arch of the radiant dyes?
Hath the sun, with a magic light,
Wrought all this rich delight?
Kissed the rose into beauty bright?
Hung the bow in the skies?

Oh! Limitless Love Divine!
In sorrowful hearts so shine
That forth from the pain and the woe
Faith's blossom of healing shall rise;
And for the despairing eyes,
Shall dawn in the stormy skies,
Hope's shining bow.