One sweetly solemn thought <br />Comes to me o’er and o’er; <br />I am nearer home to-day <br />Than I ever have been before; <br /> <br />Nearer my Father’s house, <br />Where the many mansions be; <br />Nearer the great white throne, <br />Nearer the crystal sea; <br /> <br />Nearer the bound of life, <br />Where we lay our burdens down; <br />Nearer leaving the cross, <br />Nearer gaining the crown! <br /> <br />But lying darkly between, <br />Winding down through the night, <br />Is the silent, unknown stream, <br />That leads at last to the light. <br /> <br />Closer and closer my steps <br />Come to the dread abysm: <br />Closer Death to my lips <br />Presses the awful chrism. <br /> <br />Oh, if my mortal feet <br />Have almost gained the brink; <br />If it be I am nearer home <br />Even to-day than I think; <br /> <br />Father, perfect my trust; <br />Let my spirit feel in death, <br />That her feet are firmly set <br />On the rock of a living faith!<br /><br />Phoebe Cary<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/nearer-home/
