Love And Loss

Loss molds our lives in many ways, And fills our souls with guesses; Upon our hearts sad hands it lays Like some grave priest that blesses. Far better than the love we win, That earthly passions leaven, Is love we lose, that knows no sin, That points the path to Heaven. Love, whose soft shadow brightens Earth, Through whom our dreams are nearest; And loss, through whom we see the worth Of all that we held dearest. Not joy it is, but misery That chastens us, and sorrow; Perhaps to make us all that we Expect beyond To-morrow. Within that life where time and fate Are not; that knows no seeming: That world to which death keeps the gate Where love and loss sit dreaming.