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1836–1920

DUST TO DUST

Hanford Lennox Gordon

Dust to dust: Fall and perish love and lust: Life is one brief autumn day; Sin and sorrow haunt the way

To the narrow house of clay, Clutching at the good and just: Dust to dust. Dust to dust:

Still we strive and toil and trust, From the cradle to the grave: Vainly crying, “Jesus, save!” Fall the coward and the brave,

Fall the felon and the just: Dust to dust. Dust to dust: Hark, I hear the wintry gust;

Yet the roses bloom to-day, Blushing to the kiss of May, While the north winds sigh and say: “Lo we bring the cruel frost —

Dust to dust.” Dust to dust: Yet we live and love and trust, Lifting burning brow and eye

To the mountain peaks on high: From the peaks the ages cry, Strewing ashes, rime and rust: “Dust to dust!”

Dust to dust: What is gained when all is lost? Gaily for a day we tread — Proudly with averted head

O'er the ashes of the dead — Blind with pride and mad with lust: Dust to dust. Hope and trust:

All life springs from out the dust: Ah, we measure God by man, Looking forward but a span On His wondrous, boundless plan;

All His ways are wise and just; Hope and trust. Hope and trust: Hope will blossom from the dust;

Love is queen: God's throne is hers; His great heart with loving force Throbs throughout the universe; We are His and He is just;

Hope and trust.

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DUST TO DUST · Hanford Lennox Gordon · Poetry Cove