H. H. Bellamann

FAILING petals and dusty leaves

And drooping flower-heads,

Beneath unpitying skies

Unpromising of cloud or change—

Yet some faint life still moves

In your pale veins;

Some dumb, unknowing courage

Meets each day’s mocking sun.

How you keep faith with wind and rain!

I watch you in your silence,

Touch your curled tendrils;

While my tired eyes

Search heaven for promise

Or for change.

Can you know in your dim nerves

The touch of one who waits, like you,

And still keeps faith with God,

As you keep faith with wind and rain?