I had not seen my son's dear face (He chose the cloister by God's grace) Since it had come to full flower-time. I hardly guessed at its perfect prime, That folded flower of his dear face. Mine eyes were veiled by mists of tears When on a day in many years One of his Order came. I thrilled, Facing, I thought, that face fulfilled. I doubted, for my mists of tears. His blessing be with me for ever! My hope and doubt were hard to sever. - That altered face, those holy weeds. I filled his wallet and kissed his beads, And lost his echoing feet for ever. If to my son my alms were given I know not, and I wait for Heaven. He did not plead for child of mine, But for another Child divine, And unto Him it was surely given. There is One alone who cannot change; Dreams are we, shadows, visions strange; And all I give is given to One. I might mistake my dearest son, But never the Son who cannot change. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODES III, 29 by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS A SWING SONG by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM THE COMING OF THE SNOW by MARION L. BERTRAND THE MONEY DIGGERS by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD ODE TO THE GERMANS by THOMAS CAMPBELL THE WOMEN OF WEINSBERG by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO |