Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnets of Sorrow. 14. Full many a roadway that we trod was rough

Full many a roadway that we trod was rough,
And we met foul as well as sunny weather;
Yet not one day did we find long enough
Though three decades we journeyed on together.
Even when shadows on our path were cast
And when with care or grief we were sad-hearted.
Too soon each sunset came, time fled too fast,
And dear nights of sleep too soon departed.

Now all the moments move with leaden feet,
The hours are weighted with their load of sorrow;
And the once tender night that were so fleet
Stare through the dark and dread the coming morrow.
And at each laggard sunset now I say,
"Nearer Death's gate, thank God, by one more day!"