The Teacher

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1909

The Thing You Leave Undone

It is not the thing you do, dear, It's the thing you leave undone, Which gives you the bit of heartache At the setting of the sun.

The tender word forgotten, The letter you did not write, The flower you might have sent, dear, Are your haunting ghosts to-night.

The stone you might have lifted Out of a brother’s way; The bit of heartsome counsel You were hurried too much to say; The loving touch of the hand, dear, The gentle and winsome tone, That you had no time nor thought for, With troubles enough of your own.

O, life is all too short, dear, And sorrow is all too great, To suffer our slow compassion That tarries until too late! And it's not the thing you do, dear, It's the thing you leave undone, Which gives you the bitter heartache At the setting of the sun.

—Selected.