Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Guerdon

Upon the white cheek of the Cherub Year
I saw a tear.
Alas! I murmured, that the Year should borrow
So soon a sorrow.
Just then the sunlight fell with sudden flame: 
A tear became
A wondrous diamond sparkling in the light –
A beautiful sight.

Upon my soul there fell such woeful loss, 
I said, ‘The Cross
Is grievous for a life as young as mine.’
Just then, like wine, 
God’s sunlight shone from His high Heavens down; 
And lo! a crown
Gleamed in the place of what I thought a burden –
My sorrow’s guerdon.