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1849–1916

KISSING THE ROD.

James Whitcomb Riley

O heart of mine, we should n't Worry so! What we've missed of calm we could n't Have, you know!

What we've met of stormy pain, And of sorrow's driving rain, We can better meet again, If it blow!

We have erred in that dark hour We have known, When our tears fell with the shower, All alone!—

Were not shine and shadow blent As the gracious Master meant?— Let us temper our content With His own.

For, we know, not every morrow Can be sad; So, forgetting all the sorrow We have had,

Let us fold away our fears, And put by our foolish tears, And through all the coming years Just be glad.

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KISSING THE ROD. · James Whitcomb Riley · Poetry Cove