The Snow

O snow, which sinks so light,
Brown earth is hid from sight,
    O soul, be thou as white,
    As white as snow.

O snow, which falls so slow,
Dear earth quite warm below;
    O heart, so keep thy glow,
    Beneath the snow.

O snow, in thy soft grave
Sad flow'rs the winter brave;
    O heart, so soothe and save,
    as does the snow.

The snow must melt, must go,
Fast, fast as water flow.
    Not thus, my soul, O sow
    Thy gifts to fade like snow.

O snow, thou'rt white no more
Thy spark'ling too, is o'er;
    O soul, be as before,
    Was bright the snow:

Then as the snow all pure,
O heart be, but endure;
    Through all the years full sure,
    Not as the snow.

in my heart .. is a cold December ..