The Inner Life

LEARN to wait—life’s hardest lesson,
Conned, perchance, through blinding tears.
While the heart-throbs sadly echo
To the tread of passing years.

Learn to wait—hope’s slow fruition;
Faint not, though the way seems long,
There is joy in each condition,
Hearts, through suffering, may grow strong.

Constant sunshine, howe’er welcome,
Ne’er would ripen fruit or flower;
Giant oaks owe half their greatness
To the scathing tempest’s power.

Thus a soul, untouched by sorrow,
Aims not at a higher state;
Joy seeks not a brighter morrow,
Only sad hearts learn to wait.

Human strength and human greatness
Spring not from life’s sunny side,
Heroes must be more than driftwood,
Floating on a waveless tide.
—Anonymous.