Twilight Meditations

Dear Parents, In your home beyond the veil
I think of you, as yonder sinks the sun,
And in the evening sky so calm and pale
The stars of night appear, and day is done.
I am so tired tonight I long for rest.
I think of you, whose earthly work is done
And wonder in that land we now call blessed
If you are watching there the setting sun.

So now tonight as yonder sinks the sun
I breath the perfume from the lilac trees
And gently to me through the twilight comes
The scent of apple blossoms on the breeze.
But I'm so tired of my grief and care.
I long to lay my burdens all aside
And sit with you in Heavenly gardens fair
And in the love and peace of God abide.

Or does the sun n'ere set in that fair land?
Are skies forever bright and shining there,
Or do you still have cares on every hand
And days of darkness, grief and deep despair?
Can you in hours of meditation there
Look down and see your children here below
And to our Father cry in anguished prayer
Because our course on earth may grieve you so?

But suddenly I'm wakened from this spell
Or Reverie, or muse, or maybe dream
By sounds of footsteps that I know so well,
And I am snatched back on life's hurried stream
By hands that touch my hair, enter me my head
And laughing eyes and golden ringlets shine
And all my worries fall about me dead
As in my arms I clasp these treasures mine.

I hope, dear parents, in your Heavenly home
While still your children struggle here on Earth,
You're free from all the ills from which we're prone
And there enjoy the things of lasting worth.
I hope that while t'is blossom time below
Still fairer flowers bloom for you above
And while we toil along so hard and slow,
Your lives are full of beauty and of love.

And from my heart, that just an hour ago
Was crushed and aching with its load of care
That felt no joy but only felt life's woes
Springs up to God a fervant, earnest prayer.
Oh God, take not from me my life and work
But send sufficient patience, grace and love
That from my great mission I may never shirk,
But bring my treasures back to Thee above.