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Show ! have seen a thousand faces, old and young; More eloquent than words, each speaks to me; Not on their lips, but in their eyes, is sung The sorrow and the song of life's brief melody. I have seen the first faith flush of understanding Invade infant eyes, like a breath that, born unseen, Blooms in visible birth upon a mirror's clear, commanding Face, and fades, and seems to leave no trace of what has been. I have watched a child's bewildered face, so soft and fair, A shape unformed, as changing as a cloud in summer skies. Here each trembling moment is eternal, and yet, unaware, The distant years of manhood have flickered in these eyes. I have seen the face of wonder, rapt and still, A brief and yielding sculpture, molded by surprise, A captured glance set free without consent of will To rest again, enraptured, on some wondrous compromise. i have seen the face of innocence, touched only By the v/isdom of the wind, the blessing of the sun, Guileless, undefended, yet knowing not one lonely Hour, for a world at morning is a lifetime just begun. And I have searched the face of infinite and everlasting Peace, composed and thoughtful of the years that slip away, And yet how rare this face, like a light beam shafting Down from a troubled sky, in benediction on each ending day. i have seen the tousled face of laughter, unconfined By sly restraints that bind an elder world to a smile, For aged convention has not shaped this eager, joyous mind, Nor shall ambition's sharp and worried edge intrude awhile. I have seen the breathless face of youth, set free To conquer pathways trod a thousand times before, And yet for each discoverer embarked, expectancy Hold forth the golden promise of a newly opened door. And I have seen the face of middle years look back On a brimming cup, and wish to alter not one drop within. This is a face by richness touched, and whatever lack May be, is shadowed by the triumphs happiness can win. And I have seen the face of courage, eyes upraised To meet the future challenge and the present need. Here judgment conquers doubt, and dreams, appraised Of their true metal, find perspective, and succeed. And I have seen the faces of wisdom, calm and stern, Where sadness dwells in quiet company^-with age. These eyes have known what each mortal life must learn, That faith is answered in the turning of the finai page. I have seen a thousand faces, all the rest Are lost, like blades of grass that crowd upon a sod; And, of a thousand passed, these I remember best - The quiet faces, brushed by the waiting hands of God. J. P. Folinsbee |