I "A gift I have, a sore perplexity, That pains me like a friend's farewell embrace, Or unavailing grief o'er a dead face, The gift of love which Thou hast given me. The hearts of men and women I can see: Their hopes and transports, bright with heavenly grace, Their sin and torture, twined with hell's grimace; But I am dumb to speak my ecstasy. How can I tell them all the love I bear? Nay, would they understand my words or heed, What can I do this utmost love to show, -- One utterance, one deed the world can share? Like dripping breasts my heart with love doth bleed, O, I would die if all mankind might know. II "Would I could give that naked man my cloak, And, Father, heal that leper's foul disease, Could blot sin from each criminal heart, could ease The laborer's load, give bread where starved men choke. Would I could give them peace that are heart-broke And pour new wine upon old losses' lees. At every step the needy on me seize; My hands alone cannot life every yoke." Then his soul heard: "Be rich in life, not gifts That pass like morning dews; but give instead A dower for all ages and all needs. Thy soul perfect through suffering, till it lifts The burden of a self forever dead, From all mankind, and new conditions breeds." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEATH AND DOCTOR HORNBOOK; A TRUE STORY by ROBERT BURNS THREE GRAINS OF CORN; THE IRISH FAMINE by AMELIA BLANDFORD EDWARDS GOD'S WORLD by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY TO AMERICA, ON HER FIRST SONS FALLEN IN THE GREAT WAR by E. M. WALKER ODE TO LUDLOW CASTLE by LUCY AIKEN SONG, FR. A VISION OF GIOGIONE: GEMMA'S SONG ON THE WATER by GORDON BOTTOMLEY |