The Awakening

LILY HOWARTH

I sailed my bark upon the sea of time,
Where cold materiality seemed real;
I came upon the shoals of sands where oft
I stayed, the shoals of pleasure, sin, and greed;
I looked around and dreamed of sudden wealth;
I sought again and found but shifting sand
Without a helping, guarding hand to guide
Me on to stable land, where safety is.

I sailed again, and came upon green isles
That seemed to promise peace, refreshment sure,
And as I stayed to rest upon these shores
And sought refreshment from the fruit which grew
On trees that glowed in beauty to the eye,
And as I tried to satisfy the thirst
With drafts of water from the crystal springs,
Methought I could be satisfied and fain
Would stay awhile on these green shores, where all
To outward seeming, in the world was fair;
Where skies were blue and birds did trill their songs
And hum of bees was wafted on the breeze
And filled the air with dreamy sounds of joy.

But then the darkening clouds began to lower,
The wind blew mournfully amid the trees,
Hushed was the song of bird and hum of bee; And I was desolate and fear stole by,
Until upon the sea I found myself,
The sea of doubt and fear and restlessness,
Adrift again—and sadly drifting on.
Ever anon frail barks would pass me by:
I'd hail a friend and feel that I had found
Some joy, till joy itself came to an end.

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