Kate Wheeler - Home Poems

Footsteps falter now no longer,
O’er the weary earthly way;
There’s a message in the Home lights,
At the close of life’s brief day.

Thus on earth, and thus in Heaven,
Gleam the distant home lights fair;
Some one waits and some one watches,—
Some one here and Some One there.

Blessed home lights! May they ever
Shine for you and shine for me,
In the shadows of earth’s journey
And through all Eternity.

Tho’ clouds arise, in fairest skies,
And sunlight glories steal away;
Tho’ snow-flakes fall, on roof and wall,
Till all the world is chill and gray;
Yet why complain? The earth shall gain
An added glory from on high,
For rain and snow that fall below
Will bring more sunshine by and by.

Tho’ doubts we find, within the mind,
And hope and pleasure steal away;
Tho’ trials fall, to one and all,
Till life itself looks cold and gray;
Yet why despair? God has a care,
And He will comfort while we sigh,
For griefs and tears, within the years,
Will bring more blessings by and by.

Action is the golden key
That unlocks doors to set us free;
Thro’ which the trusting heart that sings
Shall find it’s way to better things.

When the hush of early morning
Ushers in the sunbeams fair,
And another day is dawning,
’Tis for you, I breathe a prayer.

Somewhere—all my love confessing
Ere the busy day is here—
You will need the morning blessing,
While the angels hover near.

Tho’ I hear not what you’re saying,
And I know not where you are,
Yet for you I shall be praying,
While the sunbeams fade the star.

When the moon-beams softly stealing
Thro’ my windows come to play,
And in robe of white I’m kneeling,
’Tis for you I fondly pray.

Somewhere—all my love confessing
Ere I close my eyes in sleep—
You will need the evening blessing,
While the angels guard and keep.

Tho’ I may not share your pleasure,
And I may not know your care,
Yet while God’s great love of treasure,
I shall breathe your name in prayer.

To self and to God be loyal and true,
Fear not what others may say or may do,
But what at best you appear;
Gird on your armor and stand for the right,
Honest in purpose and earnest in might,
Then shall your soul be sincere.

Banish each doubt and deception and dream,
Be the real saint that to others you seem,
Dare to face tempters alone;
Lift up your banner and fear not the foe,
Valiant in service wherever you go,
Sincerity claimeth her own.

A baby played beside a covered well,
And peeping thro’ he saw the waters clear;
He clapped his hands, enchanted by the spell,
And knew not that the Reaper hovered near.

The sunlight flooded all the summer sky,
A little bird sang sweetly from her nest;
While troubled waters hushed his piteous cry
The baby soul had found it’s perfect rest.

A woman stood among the flowers fair
And ’neath her bridal veil she blushed unseen;
She said: “I will,” and breathed a silent prayer
And knew not that a shadow fell between.

An angel led her from the sacred place
And whispered of another’s priceless love;
While smiles yet lingered on her happy face
The bride’s pure soul had found it’s joy above.

A manly figure near an altar stood
To consecrate his life to God on high;
He thought the future promised every good
And knew not that his summons sounded nigh.

The Sabbath sunshine bathed his cheek and brow,
And Hope deferred, now triumphed from his eyes;
While thrilled his soul with an unspoken vow
’Twas called to nobler work in Paradise.

When skies are brightest threatening clouds appear,
Thro’ deepening shades the welcome sunlight steals;
When hearts are happiest sorrows hover near
’Tis well for us that God the future shields.

He planted a tree, on the old home land,
Where the summer sunlight stayed,
Tho’ he knew full well he should never stand
’Neath it’s fruit and pleasing shade.

He penciled a book, in his life’s last year,
When the inspiration came,
Tho’ he knew his heart it could never cheer
With it’s gold and certain fame.

But the leaves of his tree grew, day by day,