Unless

You never can sorrow with those who mourn

Unless you have met Death’s fingers

Across the couch of one you love,

And the ache in the breast still lingers.

You never can weep for a breaking heart

Salt tears you never can borrow,

Unless you have suffered, and bled and lost,

You must not call it sorrow.

You never can rejoice with those who sing,

Unless you have learned the measure

That out of the pain, and out of the loss

There cometh a portion of pleasure

Unless you have learned what a failure is

And drank of the cup that is bitter

Success when it comes with lingering step

Will prove but a snare, and glitter.

You can never enjoy the beauty of life,

Unless you have felt its sadness

Then the glowing lips of a velvet rose,

Will sing you a song of gladness.

You can never enjoy the works of God,

Unless you have felt His power.

You can never believe in the strength of love

Unless you have had your hour.

Unless your soul goes out like a flood

To those in the world who need you,

Unless you will give what others will not

So that men in the streets will heed you,

Unless you can cheerfully bear your cross,

If required, your heart’s blood giving,

Unless you are God’s in deed and thought,

O dare to call it living.

Norma E. Smith