Finis Coronat Opus

Yonder shadow darts and scampers, Jumping swiftly, nothing hampers Its approach and quick retreat, As it phantom foes does meet. Thudding, howling, shadow scurries ‘Neath the table, deftly hurries, Leaving in its panicked wake A cloud of fur and dust. Such state! Calming quickly as it flustered, Shadow ambles slowly toward Warm soft cushions, where a lap Sits ready to receive the cat.

I walked alone on narrow path, With footsteps halt and slow; And weary grew with days that passed -  Interminably so. I pressed yet on, as I must do, Through sunlit field at morn, And snowy passes, freezing dew, With no one’s voice to warn. But after years of treading so, A soft footfall I heard, And soon they caught me, stumbling slow, And guided me to earth. At last I found a deep respite From all the hardened trial I’d trod alone, until this night, When Love proved it prevails. And resting in this new-found peace I wonder how I bore The strains and aches of lonely feet And heartache, yearning sore. Then gaze I at companion near, Who lies there, sound asleep, And think I’ll hold forever dear This one who walks with me.

A field of flow’rs with verdure bright Waves ‘neath the golden day’s sunlight, With beams that cast their cheer abroad And bring to life the pinks and mauves. The day draws on, and stronger heat Begins to touch the new-sprung leaf, And fade the blooms upon their stems Before the day is at an end. But just when heat at peak of day Holds life in iron-fisted sway, Behold! the sweet, refreshing rain, That does the ground renew again; And cleanses dust from petal soft, From stems below and leaves aloft: So sun and storm both have their day; In nature’s realm, and Time’s long sway.

When cold and lonely is my heart And ache my weary bones, When watching many friends depart, When birds from nest have flown; When so I sit, with bleeding soul, And comes a kindly heart To nourish and encourage, bold, With honesty, not art; Then does my spirit leap within, And joy is found at last In strong and loving arms of him Who now shall hold me fast.

A flower buds in early spring ‘Neath sunlit morning dew That glistens brightly as it brings Life to the verdure new. The days wax warm, and flower’s bloom Grows swift beneath the rain That falls each day, and all too soon The sun shines bright again. And as the season lingers on And trees begin to fruit, The flower fades to warbler’s song With life deep in its roots.