THE SPAN OF LIFE NATIVITY NIGHT and the stars aflame, and the angels near, Life and Death, and a new-born soul are here; Dawn-and the stars are pale, and ceases the pain, And Death is gone, and Life and Love remain. MOTHERHOOD Morn-and a man-child's lips at a woman's breast, Morn—and joy and sleep; let the mother rest, Long hath the journey been through the Vale of Shade, Past the anguish and terror, the price of the peril paid. INFANCY Days and weeks-and pride in a mind's unfolding, Weeks and months—and the marvel of growth beholding, THE SPAN OF LIFE Wonder at flower and star, wonder not under standing, Wonder at self and the world, the other self slowly expanding. CHILDHOOD Years and the eager struggle of childish endeavor, Trying and failing, and heart in the future. forever, Great in the prescient assurance of empire to morrow, Great in unwisdom of life's heavy burden of sorrow. YOUTH Strength-and the strenuous wings of ardent ambition, Promise of ladhood approaching splendid fruition, Knowledge and honor, and truth and passionate power, Purpose potential to crowd with events every hour. THE SPAN OF LIFE MANHOOD Noon on the dial-and heat and fire of the strife, Dust of the battle with fate, but abundance of life, Abundance of courage and joy, and human affection, Abundance of motive and action, and moral reflection. OLD AGE Evening and dusk—and the wearying labor is ended, Twilight and quiet—and darkness and daylight are blended; Steps of a pilgrim arrived at the inswinging portal, And darkness is lost in the dawn of a morning immortal. Charles C. Albertson. A MORNING THOUGHT WHAT if some morning, when the stars were paling, And the dawn whitened, and the east was clear, Strange peace and rest fell on me from the presence Of a benignant spirit standing near; And should I tell him, as he stood beside me, "This is our earth-most friendly earth, and fair; Daily its sea and shore through sun and shadow Faithful it turns, robed in its azure air. "There is blest living here, loving and serving, And quest of truth, and serene friendships dear. But stay not, spirit; earth has one destroyerHis name is Death; flee, lest he find thee here!" |