"The Virgin Mother"
by Ella Young
Now Day's worn out and Dusk has claimed
a share
Of earth and sky and all the things that be,
I lay my tired head against your knee,
And feel your fingers smooth my tangled hair,
I loved you once, when I had heart to dare,
And sought you over many a land and sea;
Yet all the while you waited here for me
In a sweet stillness shut away from care,
I have no longing now, no dreams of bliss.
But drowned in peace through the soft gloom
I wait
Until the stars be kindled by God's breath;
For then you'll bend above me with the kiss
Earth's children long for when the hour grows
late,
Mother of Consolation, Sovereign Death.
