A Scene Of Death - A poem by Benjamin J. Gunn

A Scene Of Death.

I stood with bleeding, broken heart,
And heard my darling's dying prayer:
And as her spirit did depart,
Halos of glory lingered there.

She prayed that when the work of life
Had been performed and I'd grown old,
I might then meet my darling wife
Where streets are paved with purest gold.
Unutterable woe I felt,
As my.pale darling clasped my hand,
While there in poignant grief I knelt,
And told me of that better land:

Where I might meet her after death^__
Around the throne of God so fair;
And as she drew her latest breath,
I promised that I'd meet her there.

Yet none my wretchedness can tell,
Nor mortal man depict my woe:
For anguish bitter o'er me fell,
As precious wife quit scenes below.

Now were it not for blessed hope
That tells of bliss beyond the tomb,
In darkness dreary I would mope
Until I'd meet my fatal doom.

But then there is a life more sweet
Than this beyond this vale of tears:
There husbands true their wives will meet,
And live together endless years.

My promises I always keep,
And grant the wishes of the dead;
Therefore, I'll try no more to weep,
But raise my drooping, aching head;

I'll ponder well that future life
Above all mundane scenes so high,
Where I shall meet my darling wife,
And live with her above the sky.

There we shall know each other's love,
Without which I could never praise
The precious name of God above,
Whose wondrous gifts must e'er amaze.

^__Benjamin J. Gunn, Coalville.

Poets and Poetry of Kansas
Edited by Thomas W. Herringshaw
(Chicago: American Publishers' Association. 1894)
Pages 35-36