Dora Sigerson Shorter

“ And at his laugh she raised her hidden face.
“Dark is the day and drear the world,” she said,
“And lives no beauty in this barren place.”
“Drear is the earth,” the man spoke with a sigh;
“Cold is the sun that long has ceased to shine;
Chill is our house set in a desert place,
And Grief and Sorrow on our hearth repine.”
“I see the roses blossom on the roof,”
The child replied, and raised a wondering gaze;
“I hear the birds' glad singing in the woods,
The sun shines ever through the long, sweet days.” ”

“ Are on a strange road still in manhood's land.”
She looked and saw a youth upon the path.
With axe upon his shoulder, and his eye
All strong and clear to meet the world and fight
A victor's fight, should one his claims deny. ”