Page:Poems, Meynell, 1921.djvu/52

 SAN LORENZO'S MOTHER

HAD not seen my son's dear face

(He chose the cloister by God's grace)

Since it had come to full flower-time.

I hardly guessed at its perfect prime,

That folded flower of his dear face,

Mine eyes were veiled by mists of tears

When on a day in many years

One of his Order came. I thrilled,

Facing, I thought, that face fulfilled.

I doubted, for my mists of tears.

His blessing be with me for ever!

My hope and doubt were hard to sever.

—That altered face, those holy weeds.

I filled his wallet and kissed his beads,

And lost his echoing feet for ever.

If to my son my alms were given

I know not, and I wait for Heaven.

He did not plead for child of mine,

But for another Child divine,

And unto Him it was surely given.

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