Poems of Sentiment Part 12

Like an opera-house is the world, I ween, Where the pa.s.sionate lover of music is seen In the balcony near the roof: While the very best seat in the first stage-box Is filled by the person who laughs and talks Through the harmony's warp and woof.

THE SALT SEA-WIND

When Venus, mother and maker of blisses, Rose out of the billows, large-limbed, and fair, She stood on the sands and blew sweet kisses To the salt sea-wind as she dried her hair.

And the salt sea-wind was the first to caress her To praise her beauty and call her sweet, The first of the whole wide world to possess her, She, that creature of light and heat.

Though the sea is old with its sorrows and angers, And the world has forgotten why love was born, Yet the salt sea-wind is full of the languors That Venus taught on her natal morn.

And now whoever dwells there by the ocean, And feels the wind on his hair and face, Is stirred by a subtle and keen emotion, The lingering spell of that first embrace.

NEW YEAR

New Year, I look straight in your eyes - Our ways and our interests blend; You may be a foe in disguise, But I shall believe you a friend.

We get what we give in our measure, We cannot give pain and get pleasure; I give you good will and good cheer, And you must return it, New Year.

We get what we give in this life, Though often the giver indeed Waits long upon doubting and strife Ere proving the truth of my creed.

But somewhere, some way, and for ever Reward is the meed of endeavour; And if I am really worth while, New Year, you will give me your smile.

You hide in your mystical hand No "luck" that I cannot control, If I trust my own courage and stand On the Infinite strength of my soul.

Man holds in his brain and his spirit A power that is G.o.d-like, or near it, And he who has measured his force Can govern events and their course.

You come with a crown on your brow, New Year, without blemish or spot; Yet you, and not I, sir, must bow, For time is the servant of thought Whatever you bring me of trouble Shall turn into good, and then double, If my spirit looks up without fear To the Source that you came from, New Year.

CONCENTRATION

The age is too diffusive. Time and Force Are frittered out and bring no satisfaction.

The way seems lost to straight determined action.

Like shooting stars that zig-zag from their course We wander from our orbit's pathway; spoil The role we're fitted for, to fail in twenty.

Bring empty measures, that were shaped for plenty, At last as guerdon for a life of toil.

There's lack of greatness in this generation Because no more man centres on one thought.

We know this truth, and yet we heed it not: The secret of success is Concentration.

THOUGHTS

Thoughts do not need the wings of words To fly to any goal.

Like subtle lightnings, not like birds, They speed from soul to soul.

Hide in your heart a bitter thought - Still it has power to blight; Think Love--although you speak it not It gives the world more light.

LUCK

Luck is the tuning of our inmost thought To chord with G.o.d's great plan.

That done, ah! know, Thy silent wishes to results shall grow, And day by day shall miracles be wrought.

Once let thy being selflessly be brought To chime with universal good, and lo!

What music from the spheres shall through thee flow!

What benefits shall come to thee unsought!

Shut out the noise of traffic! Rise above The body's clamour! With the soul's fine ear Attune thyself to harmonies divine - All, all are written in the key of Love.

Keep to the score, and thou hast naught to fear; Achievements yet undreamed of shall be thine.