THERE are days of silent sorrow In the seasons of our life; There are wild, despairing moments, There are hours of mental strife; There are times of stony anguish, When the tears refuse to fall; But the waiting time, my brothers, Is the hardest time of all. Youth and love are oft impatient, Seeking things beyond their reach; But the heart grows sick of hoping Ere it learns what life can teach; For before the fruit be gathered We must see the blossoms fall; And the waiting time, my brothers, Is the hardest time of all. We can bear the heat of conflict, Though the sudden, crushing blow, Beating back our gathered forces, For a moment lay us low; We may rise again beneath it None the weaker for the fall; But the waiting time, my brothers, Is the hardest time of all. For it wears the eager spirit, As the salt waves wear the stone, And the garb of hope grows threadbare Till the brightest tints are flown; Then amid youth's radiant tresses Silent snows begin to fall; Oh! the waiting time, my brothers, Is the hardest time of all. But at last we learn the lesson That God knoweth what is best; For with wisdom cometh patience, And with patience cometh rest. Yea, a golden thread is shining Through the tangled woof of fate; And our hearts shall thank him meekly, That he taught us how to wait. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CRYSTAL GAZER by SARA TEASDALE THE COASTERS by THOMAS FLEMING DAY THE ERL-KING by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE GO DOWN DEATH; A FUNERAL SERMON by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE MULBERRY GARDEN: CHILD AND MAIDEN by CHARLES SEDLEY THE LAMPLIGHTER by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON |