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The Smiths

The gas flame seemed to be fanning itself —
The kitchen was so hot.
Mrs. Smith left the steaming stove
To cool her moist cheek at the fire-escape window;
Surprised to see that the sky was still there
She wondered if there were Smiths on each soft star.
Mr. Smith shouted from the dining room:
" The soup was good, Ann; I'm ready for the meat! "

Years are Coming

Years are coming, years are going, creeds may change and pass away,
But the power of love is growing stronger, surer, day by day,
Be ye as the light of morning, like the beauteous dawn unfold,
With your radiant lives adorning all the world in hues of gold.
Selfish claims will soon no longer raise their harsh, discordant sounds,
For the law of love will conquer, bursting hatred's narrow bounds;
Human love will spread a glory filling men with gladsome mirth,
Songs of joy proclaim the story of a fair, transfigured earth.

A Wood Cutter's Song

A child has eyes like dewberries; a child has cheeks like flame;
A child feels sudden love and hate, and sudden fear and shame.
I was a child when to the woods out of the womb I came.
The woods have aged, and so have I: I am as old as care;
My spirit is as dry as crust, my heart is cold and bare: —
Yet have I still a child's light laugh and still a child's strange stare.