WHAT shall Thine "afterward" be, O Lord, For this dark and suffering night? Father, what shall Thine "afterward" be? Hast Thou a morning of joy for me, And a new and joyous light? What shall Thine "afterward" be, O Lord, For the moan that I cannot stay? Shall it issue in some new song of praise, Sweeter than sorrowless heart could raise, When the night hath passed away? What shall Thine "afterward" be, O Lord For this helplessness of pain? A clearer view of my home above, Of my Father's strength and my Father's love -- Shall this be my lasting gain? What shall Thine "afterward" be, O Lord? How long must Thy child endure? Thou knowest! 'Tis well that I know it not! Thine "afterward" cometh -- I cannot tell what, But I know that Thy word is sure. What shall Thine "afterward" be, O Lord? I wonder, and wait to see (While to Thy chastening Hand I bow) What "peaceable fruit" may be ripening now -- Ripening fast for me! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHAMBER MUSIC: 23 by JAMES JOYCE LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 10 by EZRA POUND THE ADOPTED CHILD by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS EROS TURANNOS by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON JACK CREAMER [OCTOBER 25, 1812] by JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE PREPARATORY MEDITATIONS, 1ST SERIES: 8 by EDWARD TAYLOR |