Loveland

When I Abide In Loveland

My soul it overflows with bliss,

E’en as a lover’s first warm kiss;

And I am wafted far above

The plane I dreamed that earthly love

Could place a soul; and naught I know

Of pain or care, or grief or woe,

     When I abide in Loveland.

     When I abide in Loveland

The world with its oppressing sense

Of sin and irksane incidents,

Seems leagues on leagues below my plane

Where love and perfect peace doth reign;

The very stars that bloom and shine

Seem diamonds set for me and mine,

     When I abide in Loveland.

     But when I’m out of Loveland,

As ever and again my weak

And subtle flesh prompts me to speak

Some harsh and unjust word to her,

And she resents my wounding slur,

Then all my world of richest bliss

Goes headlong down a dark abyss,

     When I am out of Loveland.

     When I am out of Loveland

My soul weeps as the mighty cloud

Which floats enwrapt in somber shroud;

And all about me feel the storm

Which rages fiercely round my form.

But, soon as e’er it can be done,

I seek, demure, my precious one

     And hie me back t Loveland.

Feb. 10, ‘93

Pub. in Camb.

Chronicle, Dec. 15,

1894