IN SOLITUDE

New Zealand Tablet, 30 May 1918, Page 13

IN SOLITUDE

Mid veils of gay, light, floating laughter Is many a sorrow concealed, In hearts that are bleeding though merry, Lies many a sore wound unhealed ; And shoulders that never seem aching Are torn by the cross that they bear, And lips that smile sweet words of kindness In solitude close in despair. Those eyes that are filled oft with pity Unseen shine like dim, misty stars, And hands that so often serve others, Of prisons are rending the bars; And souls that seem still like some harbor Where storms and rough winds are unknown, Oft groan mid the wrath of Life’s tempests As journeying, silent, alone. It is not the voice that is wailing . That tells of the weariest pain, But that which falls gently and lightly, As fresh as the summer-time rain It is not the feet that walk furthest, Are slowest at close of the day, Nor those that have readily hastened. When Charity pointed the way. It is not the one who has boasted Of all the great deeds he has done, Who when the Life Battle was ended, In Heaven the guerdon had won ; But he whose heart ached on in silence, Whose vict’ries have never been told, Twas he whom God clasped to His Bosom, And ever and ever shall hold. —Michael Senlac.