The Other Side (Glenwood)

Sitting

sad­ly think­ing

dream­ing

In the twi­light’s deep­en­ing gloom

While the fire throws dus­ky sha­dows

All around the si­lent room.

Brightly rose the sun at morn­ing

Hope’s bright arch was in the air;

Earth with pear­ly dew was gem­mèd

All the world seemed bright and fair.

Once my life was bright as morn­ing

Love and hope their sun­light gave;

Now my hap­pi­ness is bur­ied

In a loved one’s for­eign grave.

Now the shades of night are ga­ther­ing

And the sun has sunk away

And the bright-hued clouds of sun­set

Are all fad­ing in­to gray.

Night is com­ing

cold and cheer­less

Vanished quite each sun­ny ray;

Is the fu­ture dark and drea­ry

As those clouds of som­ber gray?

Little Min­nie stood be­side me

And her ear­nest eyes met mine:

Auntie

you have oft­en told me

We are ruled by pow­er di­vine;

We know He made the burn­ing sun

As well as the gloomy night;

Tho’ the clouds to us look dark

On the oth­er side they’re bright.

Then I kissed her lips of crim­son

And the sad­ness left my heart;

Infant lips had taught the les­son

Worldly love could ne’er im­part.