Poems (Smith)/The Heart's Affection

by Martha A. Smith

THE HEART'S AFFECTION.

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Oh, do not chill the heart's affection;
 Crush it not, but let it bloom
And blossom ever, lest dejection
 Upon us fall and bring us gloom.

Guard the heart, and do not wonder;
 Love, though buried in disguise,
If once rudely torn asunder,
 Sadly, slowly, but surely dies.

The freshness of the heart is buried;
 Lost and gone is love's young dream;
The beauty of the being perish'd,
 With nought of joy doth life e'er teem.

Moving on in lone deep sadness,
 Life's trials will with us remain;
While on this earth no more of gladness
 Will brighten life; but leave us pain.

Chills the heart-pulse beating ever;
 Earthly hope forever fled;
Life's sun will now soon set forever,
 And we lie sleeping with the dead.

Oh, then, guard this tender feeling,
 Ere 'tis lost in darkest gloom;
When the fond heart is love revealing,
 Oh, send it not to early doom.

Oft from thoughtlessness of feeling
 Many a cherish'd loved one's idol
Passes from us where no weeping
 Fills the heart ne'er given in bridal.

There to meet,—await the coming
 Of the cherish'd love forbidden;
Hearts will answer those so loving
 If not on earth will unite in Heaven.