Paroles

Sorrow knocked; I barred my door.
“Go,” I cried, “and come no more;
I have guests who, gay and sweet,
Cannot bear thy face to meet.”

But erelong from every room
Vanished light and warmth and bloom;
Hope and joy and young love went,
And, late lingering, sweet content.

Then my door I opened wide:
“Sorrow, haste to come,” I cried;
“Welcome now, no more to roam:
Make henceforth my heart thy home.”

(Luella Clark)