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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PATIENCE, by EDITH WHARTON Poet's Biography
First Line: Patience and I have traveled hand in hand
Last Line: And patience fills their empty place instead.
Subject(s): Patience
First Line: Patience and I have traveled hand in hand
Last Line: And patience fills their empty place instead.
Subject(s): Patience
PATIENCE and I have traveled hand in hand
So many days that I have grown to trace
The lines of sad, sweet beauty in her face,
And all its veiled depths to understand.
Not beautiful is she to eyes profane;
Silent and unrevealed her holy charms;
But, like a mother's, her serene, strong arms
Uphold my footsteps on the path of pain.
I long to cry, -- her soft voice whispers, "Nay!"
I seek to fly, but she restrains my feet;
In wisdom stern, yet in compassion sweet,
She guides my helpless wanderings, day by day.
O my Beloved, life's golden visions fade,
And one by one life's phantom joys depart;
They leave a sudden darkness in the heart,
And patience fills their empty place instead.