Sorrows Humanize the Heart
By Llewellyn A. Morrison
Sorrows humanize the heart,
Make it true and tender;
Vibrant tones of trust impart
In the will's surrender. Tear-drops cleanse and purify
All the spirit's vision;
Darkness turns the face on high,
Unto realms elysian. Burdens borne for love's dear sake
Bear all blooms within them;
Cruel cross and martyr stake
Crown the ones who win them. We enrich the truth we find
As we freely use it
In the kindness of the mind;
But withholding — lose it. They are poor who never give
Of their trove or treasure;
Poor at heart who basely live
But for self and pleasure. He who hoardeth all below,
Loseth all at even;
He who doth his best bestow
Findeth it in heaven. Each who greeteth bane and blight
As of Virtue's sending,
Passeth into joy and light
At the journey's ending. Underneath — the stormy mere
Where the chill entwineth;
Overhead — the pathway clear
Where the glory shineth.