LAID close to Death, these many thousand years, br In this small seed Life hid herself and smiled; br So well she hid, Death was at least beguiled, br Set free the grain--and lo! the sevenfold ears! br br Warmed by the sun, wooed by the wind's soft word, br Under blue canopy they hold their state: br For this, ah, was it not worth while to wait br Through all the centuries of hope deferred? br br What could they know who laid the seed with Death br Of this Divine fruition fixed and planned? br Love--since Life parts us--lend my hand your hand br And look with me into the eyes of faith. br br For here between your hand and mine there lies br A little seed we trust to Death to keep br Through unimagined centuries of sleep br Until the day when Life shall bid it rise. br br Our harvest waits us. Who knows where or how, br What worlds away, wrapped in what coil of pain? br But Life shall bid us pluck gold sevenfold grain br Grown from the love she bids us bury now.