Poems (Cary)/Looking Back

For works with similar titles, see Looking Back.
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LOOKING BACK.
I have been looking back to-day Upon life's April promise hours,Its June is with me now, but May Left all her blushes in the flowers.
A still and sober gladness reigns Where there was hopeful mirth, erewhile—Hardly the soul its wisdom gains— Through suffering we learn to smile.
The heart that went out beating wild With visions of the bliss to be,Has come back weary, like a child That, sits beside the mother's knee.
The vision of a coming bliss— A bliss from earth that never springs,—In youth was but the chrysalis That time has glorified with wings.
And if I see no longer here The splendor of a transient good,A cloud has left my atmosphere, And heaven is shining where it stood.
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