I sailed forth upon a sea of light,
Whose mimic waves were dancing up and down,
Breathing sweet music; while their beauty grew
Into my heart, and filled my eyes, till all
Around seemed dark and colorless beside
Their gladsome gleam. And so they lured me on,
On to that brilliant sea from whence they sprung,
And so I sailed
Away from all the landmarks of the past.
Away from all the sweet home-memories.
But as I gazed upon those forms of light,
And heard the sounds of mirth which ever fell,
Fresh from the laughing voices of the crowd
Who sailed as I did, o’er that sparkling sea,
I said, “My heart has found reality;
Has found the source of happiness down here”—.
And so I sailed.
Meanwhile the home-lights faded from my view,
And as an outline the receding shore
Grew dim, and ever more unreal to me—
Unreal its sorrows and its passing joys,
More real the waves which leaped to kiss the sun
With brilliant crimson lips; while still it shone.
But even as I spoke
Their color faded. And I saw the source
From whence they drew it, also died away.
Hid by the evening fog, which rolling up
Obscured the pathway I had lately sailed.
And now the light had faded from my life;
Fleeting and fickle as the laughing waves,
Which sparkled only in a borrowed gleam;
And now the light has gone from them and me,
And I was drifting—drifting helplessly—
Drifting, I knew not where. For when I sought
To guide my course by some more certain way,
No chart, no rudder had I. And I called
In vain to those who like myself had sailed
So confidently o’er that sparkling sea.
No answer had I; but I heard at times
One voice which seemed with confidence to boast:
“I’ve found a light,” he said, “I’ll steer by this.”
But even as he spoke his light went out.
Nor had it pierced the impenetrable gloom
Which lay around us. Then my heart uprose
In wild rebellion. “ Oh! ye blinded guides
Why in my blindness have I followed you?”
But no reply was given. And still I felt
That in the darkness I was drifting on.
Drifting o’er sullen waves which round me moaned
Like sighs which break from hearts that throb with pain.
And now alone
In darkness and in pain, I drifted on.
No guide—no comforter—no voice to cheer
With calm, sweet words of confidence and faith.
All dark uncertainty, all vague distrust.
And I had known a Father’s joyous home—
The peace, and sweetness of a mother’s kiss—
The loving counsel of a faithful friend—
But turned from all; and bartered all for this!
Then through the midnight darkness and the storm
My heart cried out in its great agony,
“If there be light, my God! oh, give me light!
Send me a gleam across the waves to-night.
That I, at length, before too late retrace
My course to that fair shore of quiet faith
I left so long ago!”
Then even as I cried, a voice
Well known and often heard in by-gone years,
A voice more sweet than any earthly tone,
Whose whisper thrilled me like a living touch,
Fell on my ears above the stormy sounds
Which surged around; as though to drown the sound
Of that sweet voice which said, ‘I am the Way,’
Return! return to me, and enter in,
Home has been desolate without your voice
Joining the one great family who praise
With happy hearts their Father—theirs and yours—
And at the feast your vacant place has caused
Sorrow to shadow e’en that scene of joy!
Return! return! His heart is grieving still,
Over the one who disbelieved His love;
Over the one who coldly turned from all,
The sweetness He would willingly have poured
Into thy life, had it been lived with Him.
Return! He waits for thee. And see the dawn
Already gilds the eastern sky with light.
“I will arise and go.”
E’en though the way
Of my return be dark, and stormy too,
I surely merit it, for I have strayed
So far from Him that my return must be
Through dark and stormy waters. But at least
Ϊ have His promise of a morning light,
I have His promise of a welcome home!
“I will arise and go;”
But even as I spoke the heavy mist
Which lay around me lifted. And I felt
My vessel grating on the well-known shore.
Bathed in the golden sunlight of the morn.;
Bright with a peace the sea had never shown,
E’en when it sparkled most.
And round me thrown
I felt the pressure of my Father’s arms,
The peace and warmth of His forgiving love,
A wondrous wealth of blessing in His kiss!
A. S. O.