Margaret Junkin Preston

“Whoso lives the holiest lifeIs fittest far to die.”

“The pure memories givenTo help our joy on earth, when earth is past,Shall help our joy in heaven.”

“O Nature, gracious mother of us all,Within thy bosom myriad secrets lieWhich thou surrenderest to the patient eyeThat seeks and waits.”

“In the vale beneath the hillThe evening’s growing purple strengthens.”

“Her smile was prodigal of summery shine,—Gaily persistent,—like a morn in JuneThat laughs away the clouds, and up and downGoes making merry with the ripening grain,That slowly ripples,—its bent head drooped down,With golden secret of the sheathèd seed.”

“Pain is no longer pain when it is past.”

“The lotos bowed above the tide and dreamed.”

“White as the blossoms which the almond-tree,Above its bald and leafless branches bears.”

“With guilt's defilement stained without, within,How can I hope Thy cleansing grace to win?—Because Thou saidst, "I have forgiven thy sin."”

“[T]he pure memories givenTo help our joy on earth, when earth is past,Shall help our joy in heaven!”

“Gracious as sunshine, sweet as dew Shut in a lily's golden core.”