THE BLESSINGS OF TODAY

EVELYN SYLVESTER KNOWLES.

The fields of corn are peaceful 'neath the burning August sun;
The languid rivers placid as their gentle course they run;
The loitering bees, the swallows drifting through the drowsy air,
Give not a hint of browning leaves nor winter's crystal glare!

But when the frost of autumn, with subtle, creeping chill,
Nips flower and leaf, exiles the bird, congeals the laughing rill,
We often quite forget that smiling summer once was nigh,
That sea and mountain, forest, fen, within her lap did lie.

And doth thy heart remember, 'neath the ruthless hand of care,
Erstwhile the velvet touch of love alone was lingering there?
And when thine eyes are misty with remorseful tears unshed,
Dost quite forget the light of joy that once was there instead?

The wise man turns his gaze aloft, 'tis true, and upward yearns,
Yet never once from out his path the lowly flower spurns;
E'en thus, when thou art reaching for some distant, glowing star,
Lose not thy foothold nor forget the blessings near that are.

The yesterdays are gone for aye, but all their good remains;
Each loving thought and kindly act the present hour retains.
Rejoice, while drinking in the perfume of today's sweet flowers—
Tomorrow's blossoms have not blown; today's alone are ours.

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