Hope Deferred (Alice MacDonald Fleming, 1884)
I hoped a hope that was mine all,
And pondered on it sleep and wake—
My life is lost and worthless to me now,
For one Hope's sake.
Before, I sang—my voice is gone,
And sobs the only sound I make.
I gave my heaven, my delight, my all
For one Hope's sake.
Of wont I smiled—now, only tears
Come to me 'twixt the sleep and wake.
Alas! my life, my wasted, wasted years,
For one Hope's sake!