ACCEPTATION
by Margaret Junkin Preston
(1820-1897)

We do accept thee, heavenly Peace!
    Albeit thou comest in a guise
    Unlooked for--undesired, our eyes
Welcome through tears the sweet release
From war, and woe, and want,--surcease,
For which we bless thee, blessed Peace!

We lift our foreheads from the dust;
    And as we meet thy brow's clear calm,
    There falls a freshening sense of balm
Upon our spirits. Fear--distrust--
The hopeless present on us thrust--
We'll meet them as we can, and must.

War has not wholly wrecked us; still
    Strong hands, brave hearts, high souls are ours--
    Proud consciousness of quenchless powers--
A Past whose memory makes us thrill--
Futures uncharactered, to fill
With heroisms--if we will.

Then courage, brothers!--Though each breast
    Feel oft the rankling thorn, despair,
    That failure plants so sharply there--
No pain, no pang shall be confest:
We'll work and watch the brightening west,
And leave to God and Heaven, the rest.

Postwar Remembrances

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Last modified 18-April-2001