A WOMAN'S HAND

A woman's hand. Lo, I am thankful now

That with its touch I have walked all my days;

Rising from fateful and forbidden ways,

To find a woman's hand upon my brow;

Soft as a pad of rose-leaves, and as pure

As upraised palms of angels, seen in dreams:

And soothed by it, to stand as it beseems

A man who strives to conquer and endure.

A woman's hand!— there is no better thing

Of all things human; it is half divine;

It hath been more to this lame life of mine,

When faith was weakness, and despair was king.

Man more than all men, Thou wast glad to bless

A woman's sacrifice and tenderness.