Poem by Lucy Larcom

Foretaste

How do I know that after this
Another life there is?
Another life? There is but one!
In mystery begun,
Continued in a miracle, God's breath,
The living soul, spells not the name of death.

How know I that I am alive?
So only as I thrive
On truth, whose sweetness keeps the soul
Vigorous and pure and whole:
Heaven's health within is immortality;
The life that is, and evermore shall be.

To grasp the Hereafter is not mine;
And yet a Voice divine
Hath, page by page, interpreted
Time's book, while I have read:
And, as my heart in wisdom shall unfold,
Secrets of unseen heavens shall I be told.

To Thy Beyond no fear I give;
Because Thou livest, I live,
Unsleeping Friend! Why should I wake,
Troublesome thought to take
For any strange to-morrow? In Thy hand,
Days and eternities like flowers expand.

Odors from blossoming worlds unknown
Across my path are blown;
Thy robes trail hither myrrh and spice
From farthest paradise;
I walk through Thy fair universe with Thee,
And sun me in Thine immortality.

1. Mistress Hale of Beverly
2. Climbing to Rest
3. Show Me Thy Way
4. “In Remembrance of Me“
5. In Sorrow

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