A Winter Thought

TO MY SISTER

MAUD HOWE ELLIOTT

A WINTER THOUGHT

Hast thou e'er a grief, dear?
Lock it in thy heart!
Keep it, close it,
Sacred and apart;
Lest another, at thy sigh,
Hear his sorrow stir and cry.
Wakeful watch doth sorrow keep:
Hush it! hide it! bid it sleep!

Hast thou e'er a joy, love?
Bind it on thy brow!
Vaunt it, flaunt it,
All the world to know.
Where the shade lies dim and gray,
Turn its glad and heartsome ray.
Does thy sad-browed neighbor smile?
So thy life was worth the while!

• About Laura E. Richards