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Woman's Love Letters

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<h2>Life's Joys.</h2> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> I have been pondering what our teachers call The mystery of Pain; and lo! my thought After it's half-blind reaching out has caught This truth and held it fast. We may not fall Beyond our mounting; stung by life's annoy, Deeper we feel the mystery of Joy. </div> <div class="stanza"> Sometimes they steal across us like a breath Of Eastern perfume in a darkened room, These joys of ours; we grope on through the gloom Seeking some common thing, and from its sheath [Pg 66] Unloose, unknowing, some bewildering scent Of spice-thronged memories of the Orient. </div> <div class="stanza"> Sometimes they dart across our turbid sky Like a quick flash after a heated day. A moment, where the sombrous shadows lay We see a glory. Though it passed us by No earthly power can filch that dazzling glow From memory's eye, that instant's shine and show. </div> <div class="stanza"> Life is so full of joys. The alluring sea, This morning clear and placid, may, ere night, Toss like a petulant child, and when the light Of a new morning dawns sweep grand and free A mighty power. If fierce, or mild, or bright, With every tide flows in a fresh delight. [Pg 67]</div> <div class="stanza"> I can remember well when first I knew The fragrance of white clover. There I lay On the warm July grass and heard the play Of sun-browned insects, and the breezes blew To my drowsed sense the scent the blossoms had; The subtle sweetness stayed, and I was glad. </div> <div class="stanza"> Nor passed the gladness. Though the years have gone (A many years, Beloved, since that day,) Whenever by the roadside or away In radiant summer fields, wandering alone Or with glad children, to my restless sight Shows that pale head, comes back the old delight. </div> <div class="stanza"> Oh! the dark water, and the filling sail! [Pg 68] The scudding like a sea-mew, with the hand Firm on the tiller! See, the red-shored land Receding, as we brave the hastening gale! White gleam the wave-tops, and the breakers' roar Sounds thunderingly on the far distant shore. </div> <div class="stanza"> This mad hair flying in the breeze blows wild Across my face. See, there, the gathering squall, That dark line to the eastward, watch it crawl Stealthily towards us o'er the snow-wreaths piled Close on each other! Ah! what joy to be Drunk with salt air, in battle with the sea! </div> <div class="stanza"> So many joys, and yet I have but told Of simple things, the joys of air and sea! Not all these things are worth one hour with thee, [Pg 69] One moment, when thy daring arms enfold My body, and all other, meaner joys, Fade from me like a child's forgotten toys. </div> <div class="stanza"> One thought is ever with me, glorying all Life's common aims. Surely will dawn a day Bright with an unknown rapture, when thy way Will be my journey-road, and I can call These joys our joys, for thou wilt walk with me Down budding pathways to the abounding sea. [Pg 70]</div> </div> <hr style="width: 35%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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