Here you will find the Poem Lines To A Married Friend of poet Frances Ellen Watkins
There are flowers that never wither, There are skies that never fade, There are trees that cast forever Cooling bowers of leafy shade. There are silver wavelets flowing, With a lulling sound of rest, Where the west wind softly blowing Fans the far lands of the blest. Thitherward our steps are tending, Oft through dim, oppressive fears, More of grief than pleasure blending In the darkening woof of years. Often would our footsteps weary Sink upon the winding way, But that, when all looks most dreary, O'er us beams a cheering ray. Thus the Father who hath made us Tenants of this world of care, Knoweth how to kindly aid us, With the burdens we must bear. Knoweth how to cause the spirit Hopefully to raise its eyes Toward the home it doth inherit Far beyond the azure skies. There's a voice that whispers lowly, Down within this heart of mine, Where emotions the most holy Ever make their sacred shrine; And it tells a thrilling story Of the Great Redeemer's love, And the all-bewildering glory Of the better land above. O, this life, with all its sorrows, Hasteth onward to a close! In a few more brief to-morrows Will have ended all our woes. Then o'er death the part immortal Shall sublimely rise and soar O'er the star-resplendent portal, There to dwell for evermore. May we meet, no more to sever, Where the weary are at rest, Far beyond dark Jordan's river, In the Canaan of the blest. Guard the treasures God hath given To thy tenderest nurturing care, And upon the fields of heaven Thou shalt see them blooming fair.