Monday, October 25, 2010

"Misericordia" - a Poem by my Grandfather, William A Steward

Misericordia
Oh! Heart of mine now broken!
Why dids’t thou lead me on?
In this dark vale of utter woe
Why bids’t me not begone?
In other lands and other climes
Perchance I yet may find
That which is here denied me -
A calm contented mind.

My birthright I have bartered
The shadow I retain.
The substance has forever gone
Yet memories remain.
Two loving hearts are counting
The hours till my return.
Two pairs of eyes – my children’s
With love for me still burn.

Oh! God who by the lips of babes
Hath consolation sent.
In my dire need come once again
And right a life misspent.
Draw us to thee, more closer
My sons, oh Lord, and I
And in that sweet communion blest
Will rest until we die.
- W.A. Steward