Here by my fireside, cozy, snug and warm, I sit and listen to the dreary storm. Around my door the wild winds whirl and crowd, Till gable, sash and cornice creak aloud, And the tall trees are by their fury bowed. The graceful elms, in summer's pride aloof, Now drag their ice-cold fingers on the roof: In every blast their rigid branches shake Till throbs of pity in my heart awake— As if some living thing were pleading there The warmth and comfort of my home to share.
Slowly are fading now the embers bright,— I seem to see far out into the night, Where silvery beams glint through a riven cloud, Soft, wavering lights and shades are drifting, Like foam-wreathed billows, falling, lifting, Where, side by side, mother and child are laid— One grave grass-grown, the other newly made. And now I see a vision! Am I dreaming? And light the shadowy folds of earth's dark shroud. 'Tis scarcely real; yet 'tis a pleasant seeming. Beside me stands a rare and radiant form, With face so sweet, so tender, loving, warm— I have no words to tell how bright and fair This being is! To breathe, I hardly dare. And now another comes, beside her stands, In joyful greeting clasps her outstretched hands.
"My mother! mother! I have come to you, My darling mother, whom I never knew On earth." With a glad, thrilling cry of joy, The mother answers: "O my boy! my boy! Long I have waited, watching day by day Over your earth-life, never far away, But near you always, though unseen by you, I've helped to make you noble, good and true. Thou wert blest in all things. Even a mother's care Thou hast not lacked, or love, a measure rare. For those who loved my child so tenderly, My heart o'erflows with love and sympathy. But when the Master deemed it wise and best To take you here to be my loving guest,
With mother-love my heart was almost wild. How in my arms I longed to take my child! Here in this glorious world how blest are we! There is so much awaiting you and me. Such marvelous beauty you have never seen— Rare birds and flowers of wondrous hue and sheen. In yonder earth, soon fades the astrofel; Here, ever blooms the lovely asphodel:— But why should I forestall your glad surprise! Come now with me where beauty never dies; Waiting to greet you, many you will find."
One loving glance of recognition kind They gave to me; then, vanishing from sight, Left me to feel again the dreary night; To hear the roof-tree sob and sigh and moan; To see and know how desolate and lone This earth-life is, compared with what may be In store for us in God's eternity.
