'Tis strange—but what I love the best is not the garden at its height, when fragrant flowers, in masses bright, are rioting for my delight, the blue, the red, the yellow, white—not then I love the garden best! But when I make a humble quest around each pregnant garden bed, and look for bits of blue and red or marguerite with golden head, just shortly after winter's sped—'tis then I love the garden best. For then one greets with joyous zest a little spray of Columbine, some Bleeding Heart to intertwine, one Iris dressed in purple fine; a small bouquet, but Spring's sweet sign. 'Tis then I love the garden best. Or when the leaves in brown are dressed, when many blossoms faint with cold; but here a saffron Snap stands bold; and here a Pansy splashed with gold; Tobacco flowers at night unfold—'tis then I love the garden best.
LIFE IS TOO SHORT
Life is too short for sighing and regretting. That which is done, we cannot now undo. Before the sun completes another setting, Life may have changed its aspect and its hue. Blunders are never mended by mere fretting; better to start afresh, mistakes forgetting. Life is too short a single thing to rue. Life is too short for bitterness and hating. Nothing is gained by venom and despair. 'Tis not a virtue to be ever prating that worms abide within the blossom fair. Goodness, forsooth, is not one whit abating, though Cynics give a jaundiced, twisted rating. Life is too short to entertain dull care. Life is just long enough for you and me to do our work with energy and zest. Just long enough for each of us to try to make of it a helpful, joyous quest; to brighten up, perchance, a neighbour's sky. Too short for hate; too short for futile sigh. Just long enough to learn that Love is best.
POINT OF VIEW
If only I could prove to you—so much depends on point of view. If only I could make it clear that you are worried by a fear! If only I could make you see that we are what we wish to be. If only I could give you cause to put aside your grief, and pause, and look within your own sad heart—'tis there you'd find the poisoned dart. If only I could make it plain that sun no better is than rain; that there's no riches just like health; that happiness comes not from wealth. If only I could make you try to view the world with smiling eye, to look not down but up instead; for thus one sees the sunset red, for thus one sees the rosy dawn, and gleaming glory of the morn. If only I could prove to you that all depends on point of view—I think you'd find life quite worth while, deserving of your praise and smile.
LIFE'S A.B.C.
Do you remember how we used to say the A.B.C. when we were very young? We stood in semi-circular array, and proved a nimbleness of brain and tongue! 'Twas "A.B.C." right to the final "Z," we chanted in a wailing minor key. One little blue-eyed girl with curly head always stopped short each time she reached the "D." But patient teacher, smiling, put her right. Then on she'd go quite blithely to the end. And some who were exceptionally bright, from "Z" to "A" the backward trail could wend! But now, we often find Life goes awry. Its "A.B.C." is very hard to learn. Letters refuse, no matter how we try, to follow smoothly, each in proper turn. 'Tis then, like children of the long-ago, we ask the Teacher, watching patiently, if He will help us so that we may know the way to read Life's puzzling A.B.C.
NURSE
Her modulated voice is sweet, she ne'er looks tired, she's never late. She's neat and trim from head to feet; she does not gossip, does not prate, and always she is most discreet. She never wears harsh, squeaky shoes, nor aprons with a rustling noise. She never shows she has the blues; she is a model of calm poise; she never angers nor annoys. She's temperate always, in all things. She's sympathetic, strong in mind. A ray of hope her presence brings. Her counsel's wise, she's always kind, and yet she has not angel's wings! And from her very soul there flows a vital current that inspires, as through the anxious house she goes rekindling Hope's extinguished fires. She serves with love, with courage glows—this Nurse whom all the world admires.