Our hearts forget The times of joy and vision we have met, The binding vows we once so bravely made, The fond petitions that we trembling laid Before the Great, White, Shining Throne above, The tender, wistful, clinging bonds of love, Contrition’s anguished and tear-washed regret Our hearts forget. A Prayer (1923) We thank Thee, Father, for the care That did not come to try us, The burden that we did not bear, The trouble that passed by us, The task we did not fail to do, The hurt we did not cherish, The friend who did not prove untrue, The joy that did not perish. We thank Thee for the blinding storm That did not loose its swelling, And for the sudden blight of harm That came not nigh our dwelling. We thank Thee for the dart unsped, The bitter word unspoken, The grave unmade, the tear unshed, The heart-tie still unbroken. The Second Wind (1923) When “Lizzie” starts to climb a hill Too hard to make “on high,” She goes it very well until Her power begins to die. Then, shifting to another gear, She leaves the slope behind, And hustles on without a fear Upon her second wind. I notice it is so with men. They start out with a will, They go it well awhile, and then, Slow down midway the hill. But, seeing that their strength is run, They change their gear, and find The world’s best work is often done On people’s second wind. The Serving Giant (1923) The mighty giant of the air, More ancient than the sun Whose power is vibrant everywhere That restless force may run Shakes the foundation of the hill, Or rends the ground in twain, Or blasts the forest at his will And levels all again. And yet he stoops to hold the light That aged eyes may see. He warms the baby’s feet at night, And cooks for company. He does a thousand little things To help the world along. He who the most of service brings Is strongest of the strong. The Teacher v1923 HE NEVER wandered far from his own town, The little hamlet where he lived and died, And yet his pupils traveled up and down The whole wide world of town and countryside. He sought no honor to adorn his name Nor dreamed of crowns that tarnish and grow dim; But those he taught achieved undying fame And in their triumph hour remembered him. He had no time to mold the wide world’s life Or take a hand in the affairs of state; But others did he send into the strife And through them helped to shape his people’s fate. He won no earthly riches for himself. He had no time to waste in seeking gold But every day bestowed on him a pelf Of love whose value never could be told.