Classic Poem

Oh the shadows — the beautiful shadows,
Floating far o'er the hills away;
As over the sky
The light clouds fly,
So o'er the mountains wander they.

Oh the shadows — the beautiful shadows,
Sleeping soft on the meadows green;
Fair are the flowers
In sunbright bowers,
But fairer the flowers those shades between!

Oh the shadows — the beautiful shadows,
Dancing light on the ocean spray;
Changing each wave
From gay to grave,
Like the frowning smiles of a child at play.

Oh the shadows — the beautiful shadows,
Sinking deep in the moonlit lake;
Where the mountains seem
As if view'd in a dream,
And a world of purer beauty make.

Oh the shadows — the beautiful shadows,
In the world without and the world within;
For joy may borrow
A charm from sorrow,
And charity smile on repentant sin.

Oh the shadows — the beautiful shadows,
Falling soft on the dazzled vision;
When the tender thought,
By memory brought,
Tempers the glare of hopes Elysian.

And there are shadows — merciful shadows,
Dropping like balm on the bleeding heart
When first it knows
That love's flame glows
Stronger and purer when joys depart.

Then bless the shadows — the beautiful shadows;
And take this thought as you gaze abroad;
That in heaven and earth
Shades owe their birth
To Light — and Light is the Shadow of God.