Strangers yet

Strangers yet!

After years of life together,

After fair and stormy weather,

After travel in far lands,

After touch of wedded hands, —

Why thus joined? Why ever met.

If they must be strangers yet?

Strangers yet!

After childhood's winning ways.

After care and blame and praise.

Counsel asked and wisdom given.

After mutual prayers to Heaven,

Child and parent scarce regret

When they part — are strangers yet

Strangers yet!

After strife for common ends —

After title of ”old friends,”

After passions fierce and tender,

After cheerful self-surrender.

Hearts may beat and eyes be met.

And the souls be strangers yet.

Strangers yet!

Oh! the bitter thought to scan

All the loneliness of man:—

Nature, by magnetic laws,

Circle unto circle draws,

But they only touch when met,

Never mingle — strangers yet

Strangers yet!

Will it evermore be thus —

Spirits still impervious?

Shall we never fairly stand

Soul to soul as hand to hand?

Are the bounds eternal set

To retain us — strangers yet?

Strangers yet!

Tell not Love it must aspire

Unto something other — higher:

God himself were loved the best

Were our sympathies at rest,

Rest above the strain and fret

Of the world of — strangers yet!