English poem
What Is There To Be Thankful For?
by Cora C. Bass
“What is there to be thankful for?” I think I hear you say: Hope is a happy counsellor When clouds hang dull and gray; The sky is dark, the way is long, The hours move sad and slow; A fitting time for one sweet song To set the heart aglow.
A fitting time for one sweet song To echo far and wide, The sky is dark, the way is long, My strength is sorely tried. Though dark the sky and long the way, I’ll keep love’s armor bright. Still singing, through the night, the day, I know God’s will is right.
How oft the eager pulse must thrill To robin’s liquid note; A merry tune, the May-buds trill ’Neath winter’s shielding coat. There sounds a gracious hymn of praise From ev’ry living thing; Because the sun refuse its rays Can I refuse to sing?
Can I refuse to sing when some Might find the timid strain More powerful than trump or drum, And swell the glad refrain? Lo, Christ has made me free to rise From man’s forlorn estate, To look beyond the stormy skies And see the pearly gate.
What is there to be thankful for? A will that would obey; A soul that stands as conqueror, And this, that I may pray. Lo, Christ has made me free to rise From man’s forlorn estate, I look beyond the stormy skies And see the pearly gate.
LIFE’S TEMPLE.
How shall we plan life’s temple? With a height divine, Wherein rare workmanship and worth combine; Or low and rambling, that the prisoned soul May trace no semblance of the wondrous whole, To which its hopes so eagerly aspire? We can but fashion what we most admire.
How shall we plan life’s temple? By design complete, Which on the world’s highway we fain would meet; Then ere Night dons her star-encrusted veil To silent journey over hill and dale, The dream of youth, at least, may proudly stand-- An ideal structure in an ideal land.
How shall we build life’s temple? Build it stone on stone And ever build, no part abides alone. We labor vainly if we fail to know A firm foundation though ’tis builded slow, Is built to stand, when hearts are bold to dare And bound to conquer as to do and bear.