I came across this poem the other day while perusing a copy of an old spiritualist paper The Banner of Light circa 1870.
By Harriet Beecher Stowe
It lies around us like a cloud—
A world we do not see;
Yet the sweet closing of an eye
May bring us there to be.
Its gentle breezes fan our cheek;
Amid our worldly cares,
Its gentle voices whisper love,
And mingle with our prayers.
Sweet hearts around us throb and beat,
Sweet helping hands are stirred,
And palpitates the veil between
With breathings almost heard.
And in the hush of rest they bring
’Tis easy now to see,
How lovely and how sweet a pass
The hour of death may be:
To close the eye and close the ear,
Wrapped in a trance of bliss,
And gently laid in loving arms,
To swoon to that—from this:
Scarce knowing if we wake or sleep,
Scarce asking where we are,
To feel all evil sink away,
All sorrow and all care.
Sweet souls around us, watch us still,
Press nearer to our side;
Into our thoughts, into our prayers,
With gentle helpings glide.
Let death between us be as naught—
A dried and vanished stream;
Your joy be the reality,
Our suffering life the dream.
Leave a Reply