Scowls and Smiles

A scowl will make

The sky grow gray,

And spoil the break

Of golden day.

‘Twill wound the breast

     And dull love’s dart,

And cause unrest

     To fill the heart.

A scow will make

     The discords ring,

And sometimes break

     The silver string.

A smile will light

     The morning sky,

And drive affright

     From heart and eye.

‘Twill bring the while,

     Midst joy and mirth,

An answ’ring smile

     Back from the earth.

A smile will fetch

     Its own reward;

And show the stretch

     To love and God.

Smile if you can,

     Scowl not the day;

And be a man

For aye and aye.

Smile at the break

Of golden morn,

And joyous make

     The hours unborn.

These are but small

     Things on the way

But O, they all

     Make glad the day!

July 6, ‘10

Sunday, July 10, ‘10