UNAPPRECIATED by Viola E. Smith

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 4, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 14.

UNAPPRECIATED.

By Viola E. Smith

A poet wrought with a busy pen At his table all day long; And day by day just above his head A bird caroled forth its song.

He took no thought of the singer sweet, Nor ever looked that way; Yet all unconsciously with his thoughts The bird-notes mingled aye.

For the liquid waves of that silver sea, Falling e'er on the poet's brain, Gave life to many a slumbering thought, Which awoke to a lofty strain.

So in and out, through his glowing verse, Ran the notes like a golden thread, But little he thought the brightness due To the singer above his head.

Alas, one morn, in his gilded cage, The bird lay still and cold! And the poet wrote, but he searched in vain For the beautiful thread of gold.

"Inspirer of my verse," cried he, "I knew thee not before. Thou wert an angel in disguise; O, would I had loved thee more!"

Too often we slight some gift of God, Till the lovely thing has fled; Our sweetest words are for deafened ears, And our garlands for the dead. Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. VIOLA E. SMITH.