November Prayers
Here After
I believe that when death closes our eyes we shall awaken to a light, of which our sunlight is but the shadow.
- Missionary Servents of the most Holy Trinity
Grieve Not
Grieve not...
nor speak of me with tears...
but laugh and talk of me...
as though I were beside you.
I loved you so...
'twas Heaven here with you.
- Isla Richardson
Away
I cannot say, and I will not say That he is dead. He is just away! With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand, He has wandered into an unknown land, And left us dreaming how very fair It needs must be, since he lingers there. And you - O you, who the wildest yearn For the old-time step and the glad return, Think of him faring on, as dear In the love of There as the love of Here; And loyal still, as he gave the blows Of his warrior-strength to his country's foes. Mild and gentle, as he was brave, When the sweetest love of his life he gave To simple things: Where the violets grew Blue as the eyes they were liken to, The touches of his hands have strayed As reverently as his lips have prayed: When the little brown thrush that harshly chirred Was dear to him as the mocking-bird; And he pitied as much as a man in pain A writhing honey-bee wet with rain. Think of him still as the same, I say: He is not dead - he is just away!
- James Whitcomb Riley
Stay, Stay At Home
Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.
Weary and homesick and distressed,
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffled and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;
To stay at home is best.
Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;
The bird is safest in its nest,
Over all the flutter of their wings and fly
A hawk is hovering in the sky;
To stay at home is best.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow