Around, how joyful in the chilly air <br />Sweet sounds are floating! While above, the sky, <br />Peopled with visions bright, seems calm and fair <br />As infant smiling 'neath a mother's eye. <br />It is the chant of joy that fresh, sincere, <br />Springs up from youthful hearts! Yet louder from that <br />The souls of men, to greet the laughing year <br />That clothed in promise, from afar doth come, <br />Burdened with hope and gift unfold. 'Tis well <br />The tortured feelings and the sad should rise <br />To hail some vision'd good, and tuneful swell <br />With songs of fairy scenes that in the skies <br />Are forming; of the peace and glorious fame, <br />And wealth and pleasure in the distance strewn. <br />But all must learn that song and garnished dream <br />May end; that magic spells around them thrown <br />Will melt in air; that sweet thoughts, redolent <br />As spring-time buds may droop and faint and die; <br />That wish and vision bright are impotent <br />To clothe the mind with light; to fit the eye, <br />To guide the spirit's growth; to lead it on <br />To triumph in the world; to gain a wreath <br />Of praise enduring, as those souls have won, <br />Whose works do raise them from contempt and death. <br />'Tis thought alone, creative fervent thought! <br />Earnest in life, and in its purpose bent <br />To uphold truth and right, that rich is fraught <br />With songs unceasing, and with gleamings sent <br />Of sure things coming from a brighter world. <br />'Tis thought alone; girt round with quickening light, <br />With vision lofty, and with wing unfurled <br />Ready to soar, self-poised, when darkest night <br />Of power and of death descends, that can, <br />As days flit by, and years grow old apace, <br />Rejoice o'er bright scenes fled, and strengthened stand <br />More glorious things, singing with youthful face.<br /><br />Charles Lewis Reason<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/silent-thoughts-9/
