And is time marked in heaven? Dost know, O spirit friend,
'Tis just a year ago to-day
Thou went so suddenly away,
And left me in my loneliness the weary days to spend?—
Ah, weary days,
Denied thy praise
And all thy many helpful ways!
And is earth known in heaven? Dost see, O clear-eyed soul,
The present changing life of man
Still working out the wondrous plan
Of making even broken lives add to the complete whole?—
Ah, broken lives
That death deprives
Of help like thine that heavenward strives!
And are we known in heaven? Do I, thy once fond care,
Still have that patient yearning love
Which longed to lift my soul above
The sweet though transitory joys of even earth's best fare?—
Ah, earth's best fare
Cannot compare
With thy ideal of me laid bare!