Only Waiting

( Originally Published Early 1900's )

ANONYMOUS.

A very aged Christian, who was so poor as to be in an almshouse, was asked what he was doing now. He replied, " Only waiting."

ONLY waiting till the shadows
Are a little longer grown ;
Only waiting till the glimmer
Of the day's last gleam is flown ;
Till the night of earth is faded
From the heart once full of day ;
Till the stars of heaven are breaking
Through the twilight soft and gray.

Only waiting till the reapers
Have the last sheaf gathered home ;
For the summer-time is faded,
And the autumn winds have come.
Quickly, reapers, gather quickly
The last ripe hours of my heart,
For the boom of life is withered,
And I hasten to depart.

Only waiting till the angels
Open wide the mystic gate,
At whose feet I ong have lingered,
Weary, poor, and desolate.
Even now I hear the footsteps,
And their voices, far away;
If they call me, I am waiting,
Only waiting to obey.