LOVE’S GARDEN.
Sow the seeds of loving kindness,
And then gather flowers of joy.
Cultivate e’er peace and gladness,
Life will then have no alloy.
Pluck the weeds that e’er are growing
In the garden of the heart.
Train up all Love’s little tendrils
They are of life the sweetest part.
Prune the trees that bear but discord,
And then graft sweet peace thereon.
Ever help those who have trouble,
Pointing out to them Love’s morn.
In Love’s garden, if the shadow
Of the Cyprus hides Love’s way.
Plant the asphodel; its brightness
Will burst forth, and light Love’s day.
Clear Love’s garden of its wormwood,
And plant heartsease there instead.
’Tis not fitting that aught bitter
Should e’er grow where Love has led.
In all gardens are not roses,—
But rank weeds grow everywhere,
And it may be God’s intention
That the weeds should be your care.
There are many hearts now aching
For a loving word from you.
In their hearts is bitter wormwood,
In their gardens grow the rue.
You should plant for them sweet roses,
Give Love’s sunshine ever, aye.
From their hearts take all the darkness,
In its place put Love’s bright ray.