Finis Coronat Opus

Fair thoughts upon my mind do light And graceful brush my weary soul With touch as soft as feather white, And warm and bright as burnished gold. Through memories old they dance and leap And leave their glinting prints upon A heart long broken, deep asleep To caring stroke and comfort’s arm. But gentle breeze of brighter thoughts Stir so the sense of joy long past Within my bosom: warming hot Is gleam of Hope; long may Hope last!

Stand on your feet, you soldiers bold! Take hold your swords of steel, And face the the evil-shrouded foe With golden-crested shields. The battle’s yours, grasp hold the chance, And swift dispel the night Of hopeless thralldom, cheerless glance; Advance now forth the light! The rising sun behind you breaks In fullest dawn anew: Heed no more chance or luck or stakes; Take courage, men, be true! No foe so dark, nor powers grim Will stand against the light; For how can shadow cover them Who march in righteous might?

A crimson leaf in light of gold Soft flutters in the chilling breeze; The Summer’s green is growing old And soon enough shall take his leave. The sunlight clearer shines through boughs Of maple, oak and dogwood fair, To cast forth shadows all around,  Of wondrous form, o’er ground so bare. As trees shake off their vivid coats Despite the chilling zephyrs kiss, Their dancing leaves on breezes float And lend to Autumn fairest bliss.

In shade I wander, treading soft, As though I walked on cloud aloft, ‘Mid dewy grasses' chilling touch, Away from sunlight’s beam. In shade I wander, hiding face, Lest others should seek out my gaze And read upon my features there A chronicle of pain. In shade I wander, stepping slow, And pondering the ground below, As flow’rs and herbs caress my feet That now, so weary, are. In shade I wander, quite alone; No other mortal yet has shown Themselves within this dim-med place; They stay on lighter paths.