Poems (Smith)/The Departed One

by Martha A. Smith

THE DEPARTED ONE.

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Only one short year has passed and fled,
 Forever that sweet face of thine,
Pillowed so oft upon my breast, now dead!
 God willed it so,—why should I repine?

'Tis hard to tear my soul apart from thine,
 For I had dreamed sweet dreams of thee;
How can I lose thee and forever resign
 All in this life so dear to me.

'Tis the will of God to suffer here below;
 To love and lose all that is dear,
Then struggle on in sadness here and woe,
 To make our way to Heaven more clear.

I feel thy power when sorrow ever
 Comes to me with withering blight;
Thy remembrance leads my mind forever
 To thy heavenly home beyond my sight.

Oft in whispers thy sweet voice above
 The cooling breeze of twilight hour I feel,
And hear thy whispered vows of love,
 And fancy my arms around thee steal.

But those happy days have forever passed,
 I feel what I have loved and lost;
And long to lay me down and be at rest,
 Nor longer here upon life's billows toss'd.

This little grassy mound holds all I love;
 Oft I strew fresh flowers upon thy grave;
While thy sweet and pure spirit from above
 Will ever watch o'er my soul and save

From dark despair, and gently lead
 Your love left only a little while behind
To watch and pray, hoping some day indeed
 To mingle in beautiful spirit-love divine.

The joys and pleasures of this earthly life
 No more can fill my soul with love:
In the grave they're buried with my wife,
 Till we re-unite in Heaven above.