free-verse57 lines

Compensations

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Blind

When first the shadows fell, like prison bars,

And darkness spread before me, like a pall,

I cried out for the sun, the earth, the stars,

And beat the air, as madmen beat a wall,

Till, impotent, and broken with despair,

I turned my vision inward. Lo, a spark -

A light - a torch; and all my world grew bright;

For God's dear eyes were shining through the dark.

Then, bringing to me gifts of recompense,

Came keener hearing, finer taste, and touch;

And that oft unappreciated sense,

Which finds sweet odours, and proclaims them such;

And not until my mortal eyes were blind

Did I perceive how kind the world, how kind.

Deaf

I can recall a time, when on mine ears

There fell chaotic sounds of earthly life,

Shrill cries of triumph, and hoarse shouts of strife;

A medley of despairs, and hopes and fears.

Then silence came, and unavailing tears.

The stillness stabbed me, like a two edged-knife;

Until I found the Universe was rife

With subtle music of the neighbouring spheres.

Such harmonies, such congruous sweet chords,

Wherein each note conveys a healing balm.

And now no more I miss men's spoken words;

For, in a quiet world of larger thought,

I know the joy that comes from being calm.

III

Shut-In

Across my window glass

The moving shadows of the people pass.

Sometimes the shadow's pause; and through the hall

Kind neighbours come to call,

Bringing a word or smile

To cheer my loneliness a little while.

But as I hear them talk,

These people who can walk

And go about the great green earth at will,

I wonder if they know the joy of being still,

And all alone with thoughts that soar afar -

High as the highest star.

And oft I feel more free

Than those who travel over land and sea.

For one who is shut in,

Away from all the outer strife and din,

With faithful Pain for guide,

Finds where Great Truths abide.

Across my window glass

The moving shadows pass.

But swifter moves my unimpeded thought,

Speeding from spot to spot -

Out and afar -

High as the highest star.