Atlanta offering : poems / Frances E. W. Harper [electronic text]

DEDICATION POEM.

Dedication Poem on the reception of the annex to the home for aged colored people, from the bequest of Mr. Edward T. Parker.

Outcast from her home in Syria In the lonely, dreary wild; Heavy hearted, sorrow stricken, Sat a mother and her child.

There was not a voice to cheer her Not a soul to share her fate; She was weary, he was fainting,— And life seemed so desolate.

Far away in sunny Egypt Was lone Hagar's native land; Where the Nile in kingly bounty Scatters bread throughout the land.

In the tents of princely Abram She for years had found a home; Till the stern decree of Sarah Sent her forth the wild to roam.

Hour by hour she journeyed onward From the shelter of their tent, Till her footsteps slowly faltered And the water all was spent;

Then she veiled her face in sorrow, Feared her child would die of thirst; Till her eyes with tears so holden Saw a sparkling fountain burst.

Oh! how happy was that mother, What a soothing of her pain;

When she saw her child reviving, Life rejoicing through each vein

Does not life repeat this story, Tell it over day by day? Of the fountains of refreshment Ever springing by our way.

Here is one by which we gather, On this bright and happy day, Just to bask beside a fountain Making gladder life's highway.

Bringing unto hearts now aged Who have borne life's burdens long, Such a gift of love and mercy As deserves our sweetest song.

Such a gift that even heaven May rejoice with us below, If the pure and holy angels Join us in our joy and woe.

May the memory of the giver In this home where age may rest, Float like fragrance through the ages, Ever blessing, ever blest.

When the gates of pearl are opened May we there this friend behold, Drink with him from living fountains, Walk with him the streets of gold.

When life's shattered cords of music Shall again be sweetly sung; Then our hearts with life immortal, Shall be young, forever young.