American poet (1836-1914)
O Fame! A bubble on life's wave,
'Tis tossed about, a worthless thing;
The bubble breaks--'tis lost for aye,
But leaves on heart a poignant sting....
You cut your name on granit block;
As ages come and pass away,
Disintegrated is the stone,
For all in nature must decay.
ARDELIA COTTON BARTON
Thoughts
Time ever mocks all youthful hopes;
He laughs at ever plan youth makes;
He buries fame and honor deep
In grave of hope--too late youth wakes.
ARDELIA COTTON BARTON
"Time's Ravages"
Store well Life's sheaves, the grains of thought--
Your harvest will be good,
If sheaves are bound by ties of love,
And evil you've withstood.
ARDELIA COTTON BARTON
"Gathering of the Sheaves"
O happy childhood! blessed youth!
But once we know thy potent power;
But once we live all careless free;
No cross to mar our love-lit bower.
ARDELIA COTTON BARTON
"Heart-Yearnings"
Much too oft we make life gloomy--
When happy we might be,
If we gathered more of sunshine,
And not dark shadows see.
ARDELIA COTTON BARTON
Thoughts
Sweet Truth is a queen proud and mighty--
Her throne is in heaven above.
ARDELIA COTTON BARTON
Thoughts
Upon the roadway of my life,
A guide-board I will leave of love,
So those who follow in my steps
May guided be to hills above.
ARDELIA COTTON BARTON
"Love's Guide-Board"
When soul to soul can message send--
Dispatched from mind to mind--
All nations will be swayed by thought,
And thought will rule mankind.
ARDELIA COTTON BARTON
Thoughts
The burdens of life I'll take up now,
But never my heart will they stain.
If sorrows of earth fit me for heaven,
No reason have I to complain.
ARDELIA COTTON BARTON
"No Reason Have We to Complain"