There are flowers that never wither, <br />There are skies that never fade, <br />There are trees that cast forever <br />Cooling bowers of leafy shade. <br />There are silver wavelets flowing, <br />With a lulling sound of rest, <br />Where the west wind softly blowing <br />Fans the far lands of the blest. <br /> <br />Thitherward our steps are tending, <br />Oft through dim, oppressive fears, <br />More of grief than pleasure blending <br />In the darkening woof of years. <br />Often would our footsteps weary <br />Sink upon the winding way, <br />But that, when all looks most dreary, <br />O'er us beams a cheering ray. <br /> <br />Thus the Father who hath made us <br />Tenants of this world of care, <br />Knoweth how to kindly aid us, <br />With the burdens we must bear. <br />Knoweth how to cause the spirit <br />Hopefully to raise its eyes <br />Toward the home it doth inherit <br />Far beyond the azure skies. <br /> <br />There's a voice that whispers lowly, <br />Down within this heart of mine, <br />Where emotions the most holy <br />Ever make their sacred shrine; <br />And it tells a thrilling story <br />Of the Great Redeemer's love, <br />And the all-bewildering glory <br />Of the better land above. <br /> <br />O, this life, with all its sorrows, <br />Hasteth onward to a close! <br />In a few more brief to-morrows <br />Will have ended all our woes. <br />Then o'er death the part immortal <br />Shall sublimely rise and soar <br />O'er the star-resplendent portal, <br />There to dwell for evermore. <br /> <br />May we meet, no more to sever, <br />Where the weary are at rest, <br />Far beyond dark Jordan's river, <br />In the Canaan of the blest. <br />Guard the treasures God hath given <br />To thy tenderest nurturing care, <br />And upon the fields of heaven <br />Thou shalt see them blooming fair.<br /><br />Frances Ellen Watkins Harper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lines-to-a-married-friend/
