Glass liLaj ■Tg,3 Book . ,,(3ft i JTl CopyrightlSJ? 1 10 1 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. A Trip to the Unknown and Other Poems BY E. L. LOVE Cochrane Publishing Co. Tribune Building New York 1909 Copyright, 1909, by E. L. LOVE ©CI.A261514 T rn <0 CONTENTS PAGE A Trip to the Unknown ----- 5 Real Life 39 Dreaming --------41 The Sun Shines Every Day - - - - 42 The Trail 44 Waiting for To-morrow ------ 46 A Conversation Overheard ----- 47 The Boss - - - - - - - - -51 The Tree of Knowledge 53 With Nature 55 To the Cross-Grained - - - 57 Man and Liberty 58 A Trip to the Unknown "Why do I pain? This world seems so sad, lonesome. I cannot rest! Although lying in my bed I cannot sleep! This life is to me tiresome. Sometimes I think I might as well be dead. I have no one in this wide world to care for. There is no one who really cares for me. Carrying this weight, is hard as hardest labor. What do I crave? Oh! what can all this be? Hark! Now I hear. A voice is whispering sweetly Within myself. It seems down in my heart. Ah, such sweet voice ! It sounds so soft, heavenly. What can it be? I hope 'twill not depart. "Speak! Oh! sweet voice; and, what art thou here doing? Whence didst thou come? and what wouldst thou say?" "I came, my child, when I heard thee bemoaning Of thy hard lot. Doest thou wish me to stay?" "Ah, yes, do stay, and tell me before leaving, What do I crave? Why am I sad and sore?" "Thou cravest for love. Without love thou art living. Without true love, thou cannot hope for more. A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Child, dost thou know that life is not worth living Without a chum? Without some one to love. No matter who; they are all of love deserving, 'Tis not too late, and still love thou mayst have. "Dear, love me now, and sure, I'll be thee helping To live in truth, to live in love, my dear. But thou must stop this selfish way of acting. Now, live for all, and fill thy heart with cheer." "Oh, yes, I see ! For myself I was living. Yes, for myself. For no one else I cared. Oh, God! How long! How long I have been aching, And all for love. Oh ! How hard I have fared. Yes, I will change! For love I will be living. For love I'd die! For love I'll do my best! But, who art thou, sweetly in my heart speaking? Dost thou know me? Wouldst thou my life molest?" "Fear not, my child. I am Love, to thee declaring That all is well. And I forgive you now. I am your God. For ail I have been creating. Wish you to reap love? Well ! First, love you must sow. "Good-night, my child. I forgive thee in kindness. Sleep well to-night. All is forgiven, love. I watch o'er thee. All will be sweet allegress. Sweet dreams to thee. Good-night, my child, and love." AND OTHER POEMS "At rest again : This day has been a blessing. This day has been, really a day of rest. I feel more strength; I feel a joy in living This sweet, dear life. I am now at my best. Ah, ah! Again? I hear the sweet voice whispering. How sweet it seems. How restful is that sound. Whisper to me! For love I have been toiling. Are thou not Love? To thee my life is bound." "Yes, I am Love. You all I have been loving. I've come to stay, if thou will love right well. Now, let me speak. I have so much for telling, And once for all, all your fears I must quell. Fear not the dawn. In you the light is dawning. The light of love. The light that all should see. Darkness, depart! Darkness will soon be waning. Let in the light, and darkness soon will flee. Stumble no more, in creeds that are condemning Mankind to hell. There is no hell to fear. Fear not for death. Child, death is sure a blessing. Love, thou should smile, even, when death is near. Fear not slander. Someone will be fault-finding At what thou does, no matter how thou tries. How couldst thou please the kind that's always growling? Let them alone. Love never heeds their cries. A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Fear not the world, its strife and all its rushing. All seek for love, even through toil and pain. Love's everywhere. Everywhere note its blessings. Love all, my child. Love all; 'twill be thy gain. As nightfall spreads its winds, my child, my darling, Fear not the night, for light is in thy heart. Sleep, sweetly sleep. O'er thee sweetly I am watching. Smile, now, and love. All sorrows will depart." "At rest again ! A smile ! My face is beaming With a new light. My heart is full of glee. Love, art thou near? For thee I am now waiting. I long to hear — to hear a word from thee." "Yes, I am here. There's something thou art wishing. Oh, dear, sweet child, thou lovest me, yes, I see. Thou wishest truth. For knowledge thou art craving. All thou shall know. I will confide in thee. Do not ask me, I know what thou art needing, Child, rest in peace. For to-morrow I'll care. Sweet contentment over thee shall be hovering, I shall feed thee, give thee thy daily fare. With knowledge's sweets thy mind I shall be feeding. No more mirage shall blur thy humid eyes. No, no more creeds shall thy strong heart be binding. Child, in thy heart shall be thy paradise. 8 AND OTHER POEMS And all about, wherever thy eyes are feasting, Thou wilt perceive the wonders of this world. And in the night, above thy gaze uplifting, See the great stars, by my mighty force whirled. Yes, around and around, proudly they are balancing, Turning their sides to rays of many suns. There trees and flowers, as in this world, are growing. There thou may go, when this life's work is done. There, also, dear, the brooks are sweetly gurgling, And breezes stir the perfume-laden air. There lovers plight their love with faces blushing, As in this world, animals have their lair. Yes, there, my lad, the birds are sweetly singing, The ocean roars, when breakers lash the shore. Worlds here and there are in process of forming, And all I rule for ever, ever more. I could go on, all those great facts explaining — Yes, you must know, I just now heard your thought. But start in school, by small lessons studying, At the first page. Knowledge cannot be bought. Hard must one work, and, always, life's book reading, Thou will perceive the plans I have in view. Thee I shall lead, through fragrant fields of learning, Bathed at morn with effervescent dew. 9 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Seek not for Fame. Fame will to thee be coming. If thou seek it, 'twill run away from thee. Fame comes to him who is of Fame deserving. Lad, hoist thy sail upon the unknown sea. Upon the seas of knowledge go exploring. Seek the unknown. The known we have in hand. Cast here and there the lead, the depth fathoming; Search for unknown, existing fertile land. Too many are barren fields cultivating, Fearing to move and leave the lands of Doubt. In desert lands their good seeds they are casting; Although they hope, no showers relieve the drought. Why plead and pray, and every day be fearing To cast a thought beyond the unknown deep? Why should we stay, where the soul is starving? Stand up ! Be brave ! Now, walk and no more creep. Wait not, my lad, for others to be coming. Start now ! Be brave, and fear not to proceed. Stand at the helm, with good winds thou art sailing; Thou wilt not fail. Thou art bound to succeed." "Beautiful seas! How swiftly we are sailing, An ocean smooth, unfolding to my view. A genial breeze ihy sail is strongly swelling. Oh, gallant ship! Thou hast a gallant crew! 10 AND OTHER POEMS Ah! what is that? I see a shore appearing." "There's many shores in these sweet, sunny climes. " "Now I must seek a good place to be landing." "Land straight ahead, amongst those blooming vines. Anchor thy ship, so 'twill not go out drifting. Step bravely out upon this flowery shore. And rest, my child, amongst those buds perfuming This land of thought. No one's been here before. Now, hand in hand, thou and I will go strolling. I will lead thee, so thou shall not get lost. Taste of all fruits. Those fruits for man are growing. Here all is free. No money pays the cost. Here is a land that is worth cultivating, Where seed will bear a hundredfold or more, When sown with love. Seed does not cost a farthing. To him who sows, there's a big crop in store. Love is a plant, which all mankind is needing. A fragrant flower, perfuming all that's near, Soon as it starts. It needs no irrigating. No sorrow's showers. It grows without a tear. I've never known a love crop to be failing If planted right. Cultivated with care, Bears heavily. But it's no crop for selling. It even rots, if used for trade unfair. 11 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN I've seen it tried. I have seen lasses selling Their love for coin, to some aspiring swain, With the result, it does not need much guessing, Love took the rot; the coin was spent in vain. Soon as one tries a love crop to be selling, It catches rot, seems to evaporate. There's nothing left. The heart starts in to aching. I do not lie, nor do I exaggerate. Some day, I think, earth's race will be growing More love, true love, to beautify their land. I've always known what I am to thee saying, But seldom found someone to understand. Reap in this isle all fruits of knowledge growing. There's many more where I'll take thee some day. If thou growest tired, lie down and, sweetly slumbering, A few brief hours carelessly dream away. Good-morning, child; and how art thou now feeling? Feeling right well? Now, come along with me. Let's take a stroll. Dear, strolling in the morning Starts out the day with joyousness and glee. Inhale this air. Thy lungs with it be filling. 'Twill bring to thee perfect and rosy cheeks. It feeds the blood. Always the blood needs feeding. Without pure air one grows sallow and weak. 12 AND OTHER POEMS Meeting someone, always greet them, Good morning. A cheering word helps to gladden the heart. Tho' young or old you greet, always be smiling. A good, kind smile helps to gladden the heart. If some sweet maid wish with thee to go flirting, Feel not ashamed; take her small hand in yours. But be careful how far you go when courting. When love meets love, joy from heart to heart pours. Hear the dear birds, how sweetly they are singing. They're making love, they're happy all the day. Picking up straws, see their nests they are building. See how they stop, with their sweethearts to play. So, child, through life, although thou be hard-working, Stop here and there to gather in some joy. Joy is a pearl — a pearl that is worth having. Pure joy is sweet, contains no bitter alloy. Here is a flower from which, without bragging, One can gather the most eminent thoughts. Thoughts that are new, thoughts that are elevating. Once it is known, 'twill be ardently sought. As thou canst see, it grows in places sunning Themselves always, always to rays of love. Not love the plant, but Love the great power, ruling All thou canst see, all around, far above. 13 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN What thou canst see, even when thou art dreaming. Way yon, beyond greatest calculations. Farther! Farther! There is no end, my darling. Farther, my child. Thy imagination Is now too small to comprehend my meaning, To even dream a wee bit part of all. Thou mayst travel as fast as fastest lightning, Forever, child, and find no end to all. There is no end, and there was no beginning. All now exists, only it changes shapes. As the fashions, it is always changing. New dress, new gowns, new tastes and new shades. Even death comes along and harvesting, Young buds, old flowers, of this great human race, It kills them not, it is only transplanting To better climes, to some warm, sunny place. ,, "Is it so sad? Should we all be weeping When some dear one is taken far away? IVe seen the dead. Always their face was smiling. Could it not be they see the glorious way ?" "Well, my dear child, of course, 'tis sad when parting With some dear one, though it should be a joy If we all knew. Parting is only waiting To meet again, my sweet bud, darling boy. 14 AND OTHER POEMS What is a year, a cycle to be waiting? Tis not so long. Now, turn backwards, and see. It seems not long since thou was born, crying. Everyone smiled, and received thee with glee." Oh, Love ! At death, though weeping when departing, Do we meet friends who are wiser than we? From earth's sweet womb we're only pasturating? Only child-birth from Mother Earth? I see." Yes, my dear child. So, why should thou be weeping When friends depart for the great foreign shore? When they reach there, everybody is smiling. There they meet friends who departed before. And all is joy, until, again departing, From where they are; going off, for a lark. For, now they know ; knowledge they have been sipping. Upon their cruise they fear not to embark. Now, come along. We must again be moving. We must not stop too long with one subject. Too much of this would sure prove enervating, And to that, child, I most strongly object. I know a place, dear, where when one is resting, He has great thoughts; thoughts that sweetly inspire. We will go there some day when out strolling. In this sweet isle is the flower of desire. 15 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN On yonder mount I will to thee be showing The flower of truth, the flower of Paradise, And many more. There's so many here growing, There's more thoughts here than thou canst realize. On yonder shore there is something else growing. I must not tell before we get there, dear. 'Tis strong and rank; a weed that strongly smelling Of poison. Child, we shall not go too near. So now, my lad, sweetly thou shall be resting, While I bestow on thee my sweetest love. I am thy love, over thee I am watching. Fear not, my boy; many things thou shall prove. I feel a weight. Sorrow on me is weighing, Every time, child, I look upon your race. They seem to pain, and most of them are aching. Can thou not see lines of pain on their face? Why should they fear? And what should they be fearing? Before their birth in them is planted fear. And many times a child goes through life worrying, Through ignorance, from some sweet mother dear. The mother love, while the child she is bearing, Should be happy, contented, free from care. She should be brave, and through her mind be forming This child's career, when child-birth time is near. 16 AND OTHER POEMS Is it a crime, this ignorance to be exposing? It is a crime to nurse it, when we know That by its cause everyone must be suffering; And look about, there's proof enough to show, To show this crime. It is a crime to be nursing Fear for a child. Planting vice in his heart. Be it worry, discontentment, sad grumbling, Of this the child surely gets his full part. And then, later, when the child takes to sulking, Or else is sad, is feeling mean or sly, Then, yes, again, the child must have a whipping, Instead of love, on him the lash they ply. Then they wonder why on earth they are aching; Yes, they wonder, and yet they cannot see. And if they see, they fear of it be speaking, And churches, creeds, even the Holy See, Go right along, every Sunday are preaching Of hell and fire, of that great torment dire. And still such facts they never dare be treating, Though they are plain ; plainer than hell and fire. The day must come when mothers will be creating True love, strong minds, in the men of thy race. 'Tis the first step; in child happiness planting. Yes, before birth, plant bravery and grace. 17 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Yes, I feel sad every time I am looking At earth's proud race. Oh, lad, they are far behind. They have a fear to be investigating. Tehy fear a God. They fear to stretch their mind Beyond the scope where others have been searching. They seem to rest, discontented, where they are. They fear to trust themselves this sea be faring; They have not left the starting-point by far. 'Twould be better if money was not ruling. Now, money rules to a certain degree. Knowledge is might, but money really is nothing Without the brain. Canst thou not plainly see? Many a squire has left your dear earth weeping, To find himself into another land. Then realized: A fool himself be calling, And curse this gold once he could comprehend. And then, with love sweetly to him explaining. How he would weep, and see where he had failed. Although wealthy, he had simply been starving ; Starving for love; to what had it availed Him to be rich ? For coin he had been working ; And still so poor. He had no wealth in store. For in that world love there does all the buying. To he who loves is given more and more. 18 AND OTHER POEMS So many are their time and wealth wasting, While others toil, also wealth to obtain. And in the end, what have they been hoarding? What have they now, where love is all the gain? A false standard they have been inaugurating Of measuring man. By wealth they estimate. This false standard is mankind's great undoing; See how and where most wealth originates. Tis far better to have love and its blessings Than all the wealth the world will ever bear. In a cabin with love thou entertaining, Whispering sweetly into thy listening ear. Receiving sweets, one could not be describing, Seeing thy life, the fruits that it shall grow ; Yes, when at work, feeling love thoughts inspiring, Indeed in life we reap just as we sow. If we sow love, love we'll sure be reaping, Especially when, sown in its native soil. It grows best there. Tis there we should be casting Some of our seeds. It grows there without toil. Each one should have a love-patch in full bearing, Where each could feed both himself and his friends. Tis a great crop, a crop that's ever bearing, And, my sweet child, to these fields there's no end." 19 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN "I know I have trampled through love's fields reaping. For years and years, without the end in sight. And, something new every day I am learning, Amid love's fields, reaping with sweet delight. And, how I love, love for love to be trading, Exchanging love with some sweet companions. Such merry times when, at love's prime feasting; All who have tried have the same opinion." Yes, lad, 'tis sweet with your love to be playing, Rocked to and fro in sweetest of passions. With female love, everything near perfuming, Every nerve thrilled with love's grand emotions. Sometimes one feels as if slowly melting To warmth of love, with tender sweets entwined. Oh, how describe those sweetest of sweet feelings ? One cannot draw its pictures in the mind. Now, my dear child, we must again be traveling. Excursion time : seeking for something new. And here's the flowers of which I was once speaking, The flower of truth: everything here is true. The time is short, we cannot be here stopping Too long, sweet child. But take the flower with thee. And love this flower ; always this bloom displaying, Always truthful, always truthful thou'll be* 20 AND OTHER POEMS Now, side by side, you see them both growing. Flowers of Truth, and flowers of Paradise. See, they are both each other's stems entwining. See what this means ? See what they symbolize ? Truth, Contentment. Both together blooming; And when Truth dies, Contentment also dies. Truth may be found sometimes alone, budding, But not this flower, the flower of Paradise. Much I could say of both those flowers, my darling, But thou will know we shall come back again ; See, child, the sun in the west is descending, Soon we must rest. Night will take its domain. With its shadows 'twill soon all be covering. The lightning-bugs and the bats will be out. The nightingale its sweetest song be singing. Wild beast will prowl, and the great owl will shout. And hearing love in thy heart sweetly whispering, In thy mild eyes sweet sleep will slowly creep. And again, child, in peace thou shall be slumbering, Until sunbeams in the eastern sky peep. Dearest sweet child, again the day is dawning; Out in the east the sky is turning red. I wish you love, and I bid you good morning; Come, get up now, out of thy little bed. 21 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Stretch out thy limbs, one should stretch upon rising ; Every muscle should be stretched out and drawn ; And of this air, dear, be deeply inhaling. All this brings health. In man it creates brawn. Dear, hum a tune. Yes, start the day with singing Some merry song, as thou dippest in thy bath; And coming out, thy body briskly rubbing, Laugh, if you can; a fervent, happy laugh. Then for a stroll. Ah, strolling in the morning! A few moments so sweetly passed away, Hearing the birds together playing, chirping. With all rejoice, greeting a happy day. After breakfast we shall start in with studying, If thou hast not, child, something else to do. I know, my dear, for knowledge thou art seeking. In the unknown we will prepare to go. We shall not fear. There's nothing to be fearing. Why should one fear? Even if we should fail, Again we'll try. There's nothing like trying; He who tries not, to nothing will avail." "In the unknown I would like to go exploring, Feeling I am safe within thy guiding hand. For Thou art great. They say Thou art all-knowing. So I am ready. Show me the unknown land." 22 AND OTHER POEMS ''Again, my child, thy ship thou shall be sailing. The breezes, lad, for thee I shall direct. We will get there. We cannot help in finding The unknown shore, the long-looked- for secret. Art thou ready? All aboard, my darling! Now for a trip into the land of dreams. Ah ! here we are ! With me thou shall be learning. Of this knowledge receive the great sunbeams. Enlightened now, nothing can be deceiving Thy glowing eyes. They glow with light of love. For me there is no secret to be solving, As I know all; and this all thou may have. But, as I said, thou must start first by learning The smaller facts. Then later thou shall know The greater things. And, thy mind developing, Will grasp knowledge faster than it does now. Now, I must tell to you, there is no secret. There never was, and there shall never be. For what one learns he has never any regrets. If one looks not, how is he going to see? Earth's race, my child, is slowly, blindly groping; They dare not seek, so, dear, how hope they find ? A few of them have these realms been searching; But, dear, their hearts they would not let me bind. 23 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN One cannot go very far, my lad, hunting In unknown lands, and seeking all alone. I proffered help to some who were deserving, But first they must bind their heart in my own. They feared the voice. Some thought 'twas spirits calling. They feared to step into the great unknown. They feared the hand which would have them been guiding. My truest love to them I would have shown. Yes, lad, and more : The first thing they were seeking Was how to turn this knowledge into gold. It was for gold, the most of them were reaching; But not for love. The gifts they would have sold. I cannot bear to see my children selling For gold or coin things which are free to all. They get it free, freely they should be giving. If sold, dear child, my gifts I will recall. I tell those things to you, my boy, my darling, To explain why some who have tried have failed. There is no one who can a thought be hiding. Those selfish thoughts from me were never veiled. Thou art at home, no matter where I take thee. Everywhere, child, where thou goest I'll be there. Sip here and there; of everything taste freely. Master of all, I am ; for thee I'll care. 24 AND OTHER POEMS On yonder star, some of earth's race are living; Some who have left little earth years ago. And there they play, sweetly, every day learning To trust and love, and how to reap and sow Good deeds, good words constantly they are reaping. Good deeds, good words constantly they sow., And there, dear child, there is no sadness, no weeping. All is true love, and no matter how low Some who reach there are in the scale of learning (They all are known, there's no conventions there) ; Society does not start dessicating This human soul, climbing the golden stair. Everyone helps. Together they are sipping Of love's perfume, of love's sweetest delights. Everyone there one another is helping. There is no greed. For wealth they do not fight. There is no cause for greed to be existing On this small earth. There's surely room for all. What is the use the weaker to be crushing? Help them to stand. Help them rise if they fall. Help them to see, if blindly they are struggling. Those who can see should lend a helping hand. For, after all, they're only Nature's offspring. Love's family, upon this stricken land. 25 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Stricken with greed. All more or less are slaving Under the yoke of this merciless god, The god of Wealth. The coin's sonorous jingling Rules the merchant, as he who carries the hod. Understand me: I am not now fault-finding Because some have more wealth than others here. Oh, no! No, no! Do not mistake my meaning. Wealth there must be. Of wealth we must take care. But all this wealth should not be used for crushing The ones who grind into shape this same wealth. Every one should share of this wealth's great blessings, And not be crushed from child-birth until death. I see, my child, in many places working, Children so small. 'Tis a pity too bad; When they should be at school, their minds training ; So many poor are not even half clad, While others are enjoying the blessings Of happy homes. And wasteful luxury Is to my heart always scorching and galling, Where so many are sad, cold and hungry. Of race suicide we hear great men speaking. 'Tis very true, there's room for many more. But it is wrong to be children breeding In poverty, in shackles, and before 26 AND OTHER POEMS We cry for men, more men to do the fighting, We want more man into the men we have. More womanhood. Some good, clear understanding; We want no slaves. We want beings who can love From morn till night, and from night until morning, The life they live, the work they have in hand. As it is, dear, so many are now breeding A race of slaves, upon God's sunny land. Out in the slums, does it take much searching To find this out ? To prove what I now say ? We'll take a trip ; some morning go out walking. Go live with them, if only for a day. They cannot give the children they are working, The start in life, or the care they should have. Why such minions should they keep on creating, To be enslaved, and all through life to crave For freedom? Dear, I daily hear their sighing; And tears of grief are daily shed in vain. Oh, poverty! Why shouldst thou be existing? Oh, if I could cut every link in twain! Those links, binding the poor child when emerging From mother's womb into this cheerless world. Why was he born, on this earth to be aching? Tis wrong, I say. 'Tis wrong, believe my word. 27 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Not only that, but when the child is growing, He finds again obstacles in his path. Harsh words, curses, very often a beating From a father or mother, drunk with wrath. Father is sore; all day he has been toiling For a pittance, to feed and clothe them all ; Perhaps, also, the mother takes in washing, Baby was left on the cold floor to crawl. Could one expect perfect man to be budding In such gloomy, uncouth, foul inferno? 'Mongst bitter tears find love's bud sweetly growing? A maiden sweet ? Common sense answers, No ! On this small earth many there are who, living In perfect ease, realize not this crime. They do not think of brothers, sisters crying. Perhaps they will, somewhere, somehow, some time. Now, my dear child, methinks thou has been weeping. I see a tear in the corner of thine eye. Indeed 'tis sad. This world is sadly wanting Love, true, pure love. 'Twill reap it by and bye. The day will come when love will be ruling. Individuals should carry out their part, iach do his share, without fear or grumbling. Learn how to love ; it is the greatest art. 28 AND OTHER POEMS How canst thou help anyone who is not willing To help himself? That would be foolish waste Of labor, dear. But then, if one is trying, Give him a hand ; of friendship's wine a taste. If we see right, as backward we are glancing, Can we not see, where friendship's help has won? When one starts to, Memory's great book searching, He sees the deeds those grains of love have done." "Too many friends," I heard someone saying, "Are worse than none." What kind of friend was he?" Friendship is love. Companions he was meaning. True, strong friendship, too much there cannot be. Companionship sometimes is far misleading. Many a man can there trace his downfall. When a mere boy, with bad companions drifting, 'Twas the first step. One can easy recall To mind the times when, companions insisting, To go with them one could hardly say No. But all the while something in him was speaking: A sweet, faint voice ; a voice that all should know. That voice mankind should always be heeding. It is a friend, who tries his steps to guide. Why choke this voice? Why should one be hushing The voice of Love? Why its advice deride? 29 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN If they but knew who it is in them whispering, Then they would heed the words they often hear. The voice surely would never be misguiding, And it would save many a pain and tear. Oh, deaf, blind man! Always afar searching, When right in you you might find the solace For which ages have been spent in searching. Look in yourself. Seek in the nearest place. Yes, everywhere this wondrous Power existing, All around earth, all over creation, What has man tried of this Being to be making? A puny God, who cursed with damnation Everyone here who through blindness is erring, And made a Hell for punishing them there. pshaw! Too bad! A parent his child tormenting? Torment your child, and see how bad you fare ! If a parent torments his child by burning, How will he feel? Does he not also ache? If thou lovest one, how can thou be him harming? Just think awhile, my child ! Tis a mistake To think I hate! I only live for loving. My dear, sweet child, hate strikes the one who hates. 1 love them all, no matter what they're doing. I can forgive. It is never too late. 30 AND OTHER POEMS But Nature's laws, my laws, are always ruling. To him who gives, he shall receive also, If good or bad. This same great law applying, 'Tis always best good, noble deeds to sow. This life on earth is only dawn of morning. Somewhere, sometime, all things shall be repaid. Although one parts when death comes along gleaning, They meet again, where Nature's laws are laid, Rigid and strict. My child, there is no swerving, No leniency; nothing is forgotten. And every word that one has been uttering, Yes, every crime, come up in an instant. There face to face, one by one they are meeting Those they have wronged. And no matter how small The wrong has been, with Love, Nature, there ruling, All is repaid; justice for one and all. No matter what suffering one has been causing, The same suffering one must receive as pay. Be it slander, curse, murder or thieving, That one will meet, for sure, somewhere, some day. If some good deeds someone has been sowing, That he shall reap, as he goes by the way. They all again some day must be meeting. There thoughts are seen, be it by night or day. 31 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN The servant now may be the master, shouting To hurry up. And working overtime, The poor old slave his just dues will be getting. 'Tis bound to come. All will be paid in time. Those who for wealth have their brothers been taxing, There will be taxed, will labor for them all Whom they have wronged. Each one will be serving, Until each crime is really paid in full. If someone thinks that, by fervently praying, Or having masses spoken over their beir, Or by paying someone to do the talking, They will escape, their mind will change when near The judgment day. With a faint heart there squirming, Feeling the weight of all the wrong they've done ; Meeting again the ones they have been harming In a strange land, standing there all alone Without a friend, how will they then be feeling? Can they appeal to the courts of the land? But a square deal for sure they will be getting. There's no appeal, no judgment to suspend. The great Power, Love, will there be sternly speaking ; The ears will hear, better than they do now. The eyes will see, far better than now seeing. Into this court they will be forced to bow, 32 AND OTHER POEMS Perhaps the knee they will also be bending, And tears of fear pouring from burning eyes, Burning with shame, down their cheeks be streaming." " 'Tis a hard fate for one to realize." " 'Tis a hard fate. That is not all, my darling. After a crime has been repaid in full, A little rest, the soul recuperating, Is tried again. Child, is it not fearful To go through all the pain one has been causing, And, one by one, receive the full amount? Of every act, to realize the meaning Of every word, one must give an account. It takes some time before the soul, evolving Through all this pain, becomes fit to proceed To realms unknown, where joy is everlasting. At rest, my child, where there is no more need To strive and work. All, there, freely I'm giving. Nothing to do, only to sweetly drift On the current. The mighty river flowing Through worlds of peace. Sometimes it is so swift. In the rapids this mighty love is booming. Its roar and splash wonders to hear and see, Fairly shaking, love's passions, this soul bearing, Until again we reach another sea. 33 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Again the soul, in sweet, peaceful mood drifting With other souls, all is quiet, peaceful bliss. A genial sun, the ocean's waves caressing, Where love is might and lovers sweetly kiss, Entwined in pairs, and pairs together twining, Merry laughter is heard for miles around, As an echo ; other lovers are laughing, Carrying ahead of their coming the sound. Where do they go ? Where are they bound ? You're thinking ; Oh, my dear child, there is no end to this. Ever they go, ever they are floating, On the ocean of love and purest bliss. There is no end to this sweet fraternizing, There is no cares, no thoughts for to-morrow, As by this time the dear soul has been learning That in those climes there's no place for sorrow. There's no hunger. Love her children is feeding ; All are at home in the body of Love. The earth, the stars, all in my being are floating, And more than that : everyone are alive. The earth, my child, on which thou art now living, Is sure alive, and growing every day. It changes shapes, round and round it is spinning, And ruled by Love, rejoicing on the way. AND OTHER POEMS What thou canst see, my child, at night when gazing Into the sky, is only a wee part Of what there is. My darling, it is nothing Compared with all. If thou couldst see a chart Of all there is, and thy mind understanding, Dear, thou could see my body all around All those great suns, stars, comets, proudly swinging. All is in me. In all I can be found. Some men have said: "Why can we not be seeing This mighty God ?" My child, how could one see ? What if the fish who in the brine are swimming Would try to see the outside of their sea? Inside thy home, while a few moments idling, How couldst thou hope to see the outside wall? And, more than that: To me there's no beginning. There's no outside. I permeate the All. Yes, child, through me the winds and clouds are traveling, The rains and snows through me fall to the earth. The sun's warm rays are through me earth caressing, By my will, child, all new things take their birth. So now thou seest there is no use in growling, And feeling blue, or imploring in vain. What is the use to go through life worrying, To hate, to fear, to cause oneself such pain. 35 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN To crawl or bow, before some deity praying, Why, everywhere we find Nature's repose. Could one but know, one would soon stop fearing; Be Nature's chum, no more torments or woes, Or the hot hell of which some are yet speaking Need interfere. There is no hell to fear. Sow and reap, clear, the fruits thou hast been choosing. Love is the best, and love is always near. Now, here is, child, the weed of which once speaking, I said it grew, strong, rank and poisonous. Don't get too near, for fear it should be harming Thy sight or mind. They are far too precious. To be spoiled, dear. Look upon it with loathing. The ugly weed ! The rank, poisonous smell ! 'Tis jealousy. Against it, child, be guarding. What it will do, love, one can never tell. It sprouts from thoughts when one is wrongly wishing. The creation of thoughts impure and foul. Such thoughts, my child, one should never be thinking. Leave them alone. They would soon ruin thy soul. There's no reason why it should be existing, There is no use pretending to be clean When near this plant. Such smell ! Foully polluting All that is pure. It can easy be seen. 36 AND OTHER POEMS So rank! The smell, all from it emanating, Proclaims to all who chance to come its way Its existence. Although one tries concealing Its ownership crops out in every way. The eye, the smile, when one is near, the feeling. One feels it, child. 'Tis repulsive indeed. The foul passion of someone to be owning, To have a slave. To be swayed like a weed By every breath, from this weed's slothful jawing! An accuser, justifying all means! Always ready, a slur to be vomiting. Even murder crops out in its foul dreams. How can one reap of love's clean, true, sweet blessing, Fearing to lose the love he has in hand? This unclean weed crops out also by fearing To lose the hand, my child, you understand — They say the hand of some damsel when courting; But, dear, it means the damsel through and through. The ownership. No more, no less. The meaning Carries with it the damsel's fortune too. So now, dear child, to thee I have been telling Of many things of which thou didst not know. I'll tell thee more another day when strolling, And in thy heart love for me sure will grow. 37 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN My darling love, this is only the starting Upon a cruise down life's sweetest of streams. Upon oceans and seas we will be faring, Basking in rays of love, sweet, happy dreams. Real dreams, my boy. Real dreams we will be dreaming, Which manifest themselves and come out true. And with true love thy manly heart be filling, True love for all. Out of love's sprouts we'll brew A beverage sweet, for all friends to be sipping. We'll treat them all, no matter good or bad. A nod, a smile, kind words here and there speaking To all we meet. With love, good-night, my lad. 38 AND OTHER POEMS REAL LIFE. A lad was born with a heart strong and noble ; With a kind eye he surveyed all around. He did not heed trifling cares, and no trouble Could bind his heart. With love his life was bound. He loved his work; he loved to help another; He loved to live, to laugh, to romp and play ; He loved dearly his sweet father and mother. To them he was sunshine by night, by day. He fondly learned at school from his dear teacher, And when at home would learn his lessons well. Cut kindling wood, and carry in the water. At work or play would do his best as well. When a young man he worked and loved together. He made of life a great sunbeam of joy. His mottoes were: "We must love one another/' "True love is pure, it contains no alloy." Love led this lad into good ways opportune, Into sweet roads, and into fragrant fields. In contentment there lies the greatest fortune ; Love is the field that brings the greatest yields. 39 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Go, love your work, and love your life; be happy. Love every one, no matter who they are. Yes, love your wife and have a happy family. Start now and love, and see how well you fare. 40 AND OTHER POEMS DREAMING. A young man spent most of his time in dreaming; He could not work, thinking it was "too low." To be toiling would be much too degrading. He would not try to "paddle his own canoe." His ambitions were to follow life's fashions. But how could he ? He was so sad and poor. He blamed the fates. He had no self-opinions. To him fortune had always barred the door. And work he must? He hated work. If only He could be rich and live as many do: Have a mansion, a happy, sweet family, An auto-car, and a million or two. His w T ish stopped there. This great wish went no farther; He did not start and try to back his brain. And now to-day he is almost a pauper, Roaming and lost on life's beautiful plain. 'Tis a mistake to live for wishing only. To hate your work is to make it hard and sad. Can we not see? Without work there's no glory. If one doesn't work, some day he'll wish he had. 41 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN THE SUN SHINES EVERY DAY. Although the clouds are floating low, And the skies are heavy laden, Tho' the wind with mournful sound doth blow, And all about us darkness ; Yes, tho' the seas are raging high, Lashing the shore with fury, Bouncing the ships that ocean ply Till all on board are weary. The rain in torrents falls to earth, And snow the mountains is covering, When mankind whispers under breath: When will it quit storming? Remember all this time, for sure The sun is always shining Above the clouds; through blue azure The sun's light's always beaming. So in life's stormy, roaring strife A smile is always helping. 'Twill help one sure, all through his life, This sign of joy be showing. 42 AND OTHER POEMS When, upon entering home at night, And wife has the blues, worrying, A smile will make all look so bright. A smile! The sun is shining. 43 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN THE TRAIL. Upwards, amongst thistles and thorns, winds a steep, rocky trail, Where moonlight's shadows, ghostly forms, mingle with the wind's wail. A picture of the first journey, the first struggle with life, The trail to lands of wealth and money, the first step in Life's strife. The hopes, the fears, the battle's din; the rushing, surging throng ; The temptations, the errors of sin, through which we grope along. We barely scent the blooms of spring, we hardly see the way, We faintly hear some song bird sing, greeting the happy day. The scene is grand. Of it we dream when slumbering with rest. On waking we perceive a gleam ; every day is a test Of strength, of firmness; strong desires begin our will to urge. Of ambition we feel the fires ; forward, upward we surge. 44 AND OTHER POEMS Now here and there we see a form, reclining in the brush. Gave up. He would not face the storm ; he could not stand the crush. "Perhaps he would like to go back," a passer-by then thought. In life there is no going back; the battle must be fought. The trail divides, and here and there each one choses his way, Through vales of smiles, or brooks of tears, and sunhsine's happy ray. Some find a place where all is sweet, although no gold in sight, While others find the golden streak, but on and on they fight. Leaving the trail of wealth beyond, some find love's per- fumed fields, Where sweetest passions can be found. Those fields for mankind yield The sweetest crops. Oh, how describe? One must taste them to know. How could the pen of any scribe love's sweets perfectly show? 45 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN WAITING FOR TO-MORROW. Again another day is spent, another sun went down, Another time the will is bent. Again another frown Upon the face of him who thought, I'll wait for to-morrow. Another precious day is lost, envying the other fellow. When old age comes on, marching up the lane of time and years, It finds him draining in the cup. The dregs of groundless fears, Of fears to act when time was near, of fears to act at once. Lost time of success is the bier, and failure is the corpse. 46 AND OTHER POEMS A CONVERSATION OVERHEARD. This conversation once I heard While standing at the door. I give it to you word for word, Just what I heard, no more. "A trifle. Yes, I take a drink; Sometimes I take a few. Why should I care for what you think? What can it be to you?" "It is to me a great deal, dear, And to our children, too. And what you spend for booze and beer Is detriment to you." "It is ! Is it ? Explain it, now ! What is your argument? I think you'll have to show me how It is a detriment." "First, you work hard to earn, my dear, Your monthly income. Six days a week, year after year, And you supply our home. 47 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN " 'Tis hard for you. I realize Your hardships and your cares. And with you, dear, I sympathize. Hardships or joys we share. "See what you spent this last month, Ed. 'Twas over half your pay. You didn't act so when we were wed, And, dear, you used to say: "You'd hate to have to stop and drink With the lads from the shop. Those words, they almost made me think That you were going to stop "Frequenting all those drinking dens. Why, I would drink with you A glass of beer, dear, now and then. Do I not still love you? "If you feel you must have a drink, Drink it at home with me. Twould be better, now, don't you think ? We would all happy be. "You told me it costs fifty cents To treat every evening. Sometimes it's double that expense. Think how hard you're working. 48 AND OTHER POEMS "Every working day in the year; Twenty-five cents per hour Is what you are now getting, dear — My ! do not look so sour." "I see what you are getting at ; I guess you're right, all right. There is some sense to all your chat. Your argument is bright." "Yes, but wait until I have said A few more words, won't you ? Two and a half a day you're paid, For the hard work you do. "Now, two hours' work at least are spent, And sometimes four or five, With this habit, treating a friend, And think to save we strive. "It is that much work thrown away. You're working hard all day, My dear, just think, you're turning gray; There'll come a rainy day. "If I have said too much, my love, Or if too far I have gone, I hope you will kindly forgive. Now, darling, I am done." 49 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN "I know, Nellie, that what you say Is all the truth; exact. But it's so hard to break away. All you said is a fact. "Now, excuse me for what I said Just after I came in. I was somewhat out of my head. I have been drinking gin. "But I will do just as you say, And come right home at night. You're right, Nellie; it does not pay. You're right, Nellie; you're right." 50 AND OTHER POEMS THE BOSS. He growls in the morning, and going to bed at night, Again he growls in the evening, when he is a wee bit tight. In fact, he is always growling, always ugly, a crank. At his wife he is always barking, and, in fact, to be frank, He takes a pride in sulking, in finding fault with all. What is the use in talking? He is no man at all. Again, with strangers speaking, he tries to be all grace. A hypocrite, I'm thinking; one reads it in his face. If some one in come comes calling, he tries to be polite ; His coarse habits protruding, he cannot do it quite. And, when the guests are leaving, he sure with them does smile. He is glad they are departing; he can indulge in his wiles. Again, hell be fault-finding. He often has those spells. The children from him hiding, he makes his home a hell. And should his wife be spending just a penny or two Without him first consulting, it breaks his heart in two. Should it happen be raining, and he is home all day, The kids are afraid of moving; they dare not speak or play. 51 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Such man should be living by himself, all alone, For years and years, thinking of the wrongs he has done. What is the use of murdering the sweetest joy of life? What is the use of making married life a hard strife? 'Tis hard enough, I'm thinking, when we try to do our best. This only, just hinting, the boss should do the rest. 52 AND OTHER POEMS. THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE. In an old book: In every home we find it, The old story of how mankind has lost His happy home. And it was Eve who tried it! Poor girl ! Too bad ! Did she realize the cost ? From that day on we all have been so puzzled At what was right, and which was wrong, oh Lord ! Churches and creeds, this world have kept so worried. Do they know now, in one common accord? No! They know not, and still they are unwilling To hear the truth. To acknowledge defeat. What is the use to still crawl on struggling With all those creeds ? What's the use ? I repeat. Why not abstain from all mankind condemning? Why not retract the curse of hell and fire? Why should we still our children be teaching To fear a God, and his punishments dire? Why fear a God? If he should be existing, Why bring this curse of fear upon their brows? He's a poor man who goes through life crawling, Beset with fears. We reap just as we sow. 53 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Sow with good deeds the fertile fields of Nature, Help here and there; can we not plainly see, Fear is a ghost, a nightmare, a vulture? Be brave, be strong. Soar higher and be free. When we begin to go through life worrying If that is right, if that is wrong, my friend, We surely are our troubles multiplying. Our religion we must begin to mend. 54 AND OTHER POEMS WITH NATURE. As I sit here recalling the many sweets of life, While I have been living during all this long strife, While my mind has been searching here and there for a bud Of the flower of knowledge, growing amid this mighty flood Of thought, emanating from mankind in this sphere, There is no science like gleaning from Nature here and there. With Nature go strolling over the perfumed fields, To see the crops growing, to mankind's labors yield. The earth's flowers perfuming the air with sweetest smells ; 'Tis learning to go walking in this land's lovely dells ; To feel the breeze caressing a plump and rosy cheek, And hear it sweetly whispering, with voice tender and meek. Or with Nature go sailing, over the ocean wide, With the great ship plowing the brine on either side. Upon this ocean floating, how small we seem to be, When round the horizon gazing, only expanse we see. And when the storm is raging, rolling the mighty wave, All this starts us wondering, for knowledge do we crave. A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN Our knowledge we are gathering from Nature, here and there. Her wonders she is showing, explaining everywhere. When ourselves we are studying, we wonder more and more; Wonders man's mind are working, through Nature's aid, for sure. Although we have been groping through dark and gloomy vales, The light is now dawning, the mountain's height we scale. No more shall we be fearing the dark and gloomy night. With progress we are marching, and knowledge is our might. With knowledge we are conquering the old dogmas and creeds. That once were man ruling. Knowledge is all we need. With knowledge we'll be loving, with it we'll build our homes. Ignorance is disappearing. Good times are sure to come. 56 AND OTHER POEMS TO THE CROSS-GRAINED. Why do you murder the sunshine of the day? Why do you kill the sublime joy of life? Why carry home the curse of daily strife? Walking through life, rejoice upon the way. Rejoice at home, and drop your daily cares. Feel satisfied if you have done your best. If you are cross, can you enjoy your rest? Sweet contentment is best of daily fares. 57 A TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN MAN AND LIBERTY. "O Liberty, we all praise thee so highly, In this great land of freedom and of love, Do set us free; freedom we have but partly; Oh, break our chains, and raise us high above Where we now cling, as helpless children fearing To think and say the thoughts deep in our hearts. We should be brave, each one should do some thinking. Each one should raise himself and do his part." "Why try to do as others have been doing? Why still be chained to conventions and such? Emerge from there! I hear no chains clanging. Break loose, I say ! And from your heart do brush All those cobwebs. From all those webs departing (Can you not see ? They are cobwebs binding thee !) Fear not the strife. You all should now be striving To do your best. From old notions be free. Live a new life. Be brother, sister, sweetheart. Fear not to love; 'tis radiant and sweet. Then you will greet one another with true heart. Then it will be a pleasure to all meet, With true regards, with love, tender kindness, A man at last, a woman or a child, In whose bright eyes is beaming tender sweetness, Where artifice is no more used to gild, 58 AND OTHER POEMS To hide the thoughts. Why thoughts should one be hiding? Oh, well, one knows when they look in the eyes; They speak it all. The soul through eyes is speaking. The soul is true. The soul does not disguise. Break loose ! Be free ! On thyself no more impose A task so hard. There is no use. Don't try. Be strong and true. Each one should have a purpose. On life's highway, what is the use to cry? Why should one be in this grandiose world creeping? Why should one fear to launch right straight ahead? Turn loose! Fear not! Good things are for all waiting. One good, live man is worth a million dead." 59 APR 28 1819 One copy del. to Cat. Div. )&»■■