Heaven's Need

YE who, passing, bore awayBest of sunshine from our day,—That rare glory which revivesOn the sky of clouded lives,When, through mists at evening rent,Rays from inmost heaven are sent,—What of earth to you remains,Mid imperishable gains?

Mother-love, unchilled by change,Absence wide, and coldness strange,—Mother-love, that here must yearnVainly for its full returnFrom the shallow heart of youth,—Art requited now, in truth?Or does thy dumb longing goThrough heaven's happy overflow?

Sister-love, so calm, so wise!Starlight, risen on darkened skies;Heart that made its rifled nestShelter for the homeless guest,—Of thy tenderness bereft,Little warmth in life is left.Has that new world's flood of blissSwept apart the ties of this?

None may name a drearier thought;—Hearts we lean on need us not.If they ask for us no more,Gathering in heaven's affluent store,Life is lonelier than we knew;Sharper anguish thrills death through.In this rubbish-heap of earthHides no pearl heaven's saving worth?

God is good. His face they see,And are glad eternally.Yet they hear love's wordless prayer,—Sigh that stirs the peaceful air,And our yearning secret tellsTo the bending asphodels.Lacks one drop their cup to fill;Still they want us, wait us still.