Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FOLDED HANDS, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOLDED HANDS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Pale, withered hands that more than four- / score years
Last Line: So dwells the mother in the best of lands.
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Death; Heaven; Prayer; Dead, The; Paradise


PALE, withered hands that more than four-score years
Had wrought for others—soothed the hurt of tears,
Rocked children's cradles, eased the fever's smart,
Dropped tenderest balm in many an aching heart—
Now stirless folded, like wan rose - leaves pressed
Above the snow and silence of her breast.
In mute appeal they tell of labors done
And well-earned rest that came with set of sun;
From the worn brow the lines of care are swept
As if an angel's kiss the while she slept
Had smoothed the cobweb wrinkles quite away
And given back the peace of childhood's day.
A smile is on the lips as if she said,
"None know life's secret save the happy dead."
And, gazing where she lies, we feel that pain
And parting cannot cleave her soul again.
And we are sure that they who saw her last
In that dim vista which we call the past,
Who never knew her old and weary-eyed,
Remembering best the maiden and the bride,
Have sprung to greet her with the olden speech,
The dear sweet names no later love can teach,
And "Welcome Home"they cried, and grasped her hands—
So dwells the mother in the best of lands.





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