A Friend to a Friend

ELIZABETH CHALLIS ADAMS

You ask me, dear, what you can do to prove
The deep, enduring sureness of your love.
And this I answer, Try to think of me
In all ways as God knows my self to be.
While I,—I pledge myself to think of you
As God has made you, fine and strong and true,
In His own image, Spirit's likeness pure.
So shall our friendship grow, and shall endure
Though earth dissolve and seen things disappear.
For us all heaven is open, now and here.
So do I ask of you, and give no less,
Unswerving vision of man's perfectness,
A vision that can hold nor blots nor stains.
O friend, God's gift, the good alone remains!