Poems (Helen Jenkins)/Life's Journey

For works with similar titles, see Life's Journey.

LIFE'S JOURNEY.

Many times, 'tis dark and dreary,
Plodding on life's dusty road;
And we linger, weak and weary,
By the wayside, with our load.

Piece by piece, our pack unloading,
Treasured jewels seem but dross,
Till our hearts sink with foreboding
And a hopeless sense of loss;

Counting o'er, with vain regretting,
What each golden grain has cost;
Never for an hour forgetting
How or where a gem was lost.

Lost and gone are many treasures,
When we feel their direst need.
If we miss life's sweetest pleasures,
Surely, we are poor indeed!

Oft we seek, on mountains lonely.
Wood to build our altar-fires.
Searching where we gather only
Worthless weeds and clinging briers;

Finding many a bramble lying
Where it most will pierce our feet;
Many a thorn, to patience trying,
'Mid the precious roses sweet;

Wondering if the vague to-morrow
Will be brighter than to-day;
If the sun will shine, or sorrow
Like a cloud obscure our way.

Groping hence our way in blindness,
Our poor souls have no disguise.
Will God's gracious, loving kindness
Fill our hearts with glad surprise?

Knowing all our past privations,
All the bitter now and then,
All our higher aspirations,
And, alas! "what might have been,"

When we reach that shining city,
With its many mansions fair,
Will He chide us most, or pity?
Will He bid us welcome there?

Bowing down our faces tearful,
Father, let us cling to Thee!
Death's chill night seems dark and fearful,
If Thy face we cannot see.

Keep us, help us, now and ever!
Else our faith grows cold and dead.
Should all earthly ties dissever,
Let us trust in Thee instead.