Just Folks

The Crucible of Life

          Sunshine and shadow, blue sky and gray,
          Laughter and tears as we tread on our way;
          Hearts that are heavy, then hearts that are light,
          Eyes that are misty and eyes that are bright;
          Losses and gains in the heat of the strife,
          Each in proportion to round out his life.

          Into the crucible, stirred by the years,
          Go all our hopes and misgivings and fears;
          Glad days and sad days, our pleasures and pains,
          Worries and comforts, our losses and gains.
          Out of the crucible shall there not come
          Joy undefiled when we pour off the scum?

          Out of the sadness and anguish and woe,
          Out of the travail and burdens we know,
          Out of the shadow that darkens the way,
          Out of the failure that tries us to-day,
          Have you a doubt that contentment will come
          When you've purified life and discarded the scum?

          Tinctured with sorrow and flavored with sighs,
          Moistened with tears that have flowed from your eyes;
          Perfumed with sweetness of loves that have died,
          Leavened with failures, with grief sanctified,
          Sacred and sweet is the joy that must come
          From the furnace of life when you've poured off the scum.