My Heart Friend

I sought a friend; my spirit wept;

I sought such love as couple kindred minds,

And blends their spirits in one purpose high;

A friend, I sought, that pilgrim seldom finds;

I cried, but heard no answer to my mournful sigh.

My toilsome task I daily kept,

To find a friend into whose listening ears

My tale of grief my stamm'ring lips could pour,

And find a healing for my gushing tears;

I sought a mighty refuge from sin's cruel power.

I slept in grief, in grief I woke;

With diligence I searched the earth around;

From north to south, from east to west I sought,

If anywhere such friendship could be found;

Lo here, lo there, my efforts fail'd, I found him not.

I drank the cup of pleasure deep;

I quaff'd its joys where sparkling nectar flows;

The loves of earth, I felt, its smiles I gain'd;

I drain'd the cup, its dregs were mixt with woes;

Its smiles were vanity, the loves of earth were feign'd.

In wisdom's mines, while others slept,

I sought to bury my tormenting fears,

Or find some gem whose sparkling radiance could

In lieu of friendship drive away my tears;

I found a weary brain, but not my fancied good.

My God, at last, a wolf-scared sheep,

I sought thy fold; I came a frighten'd child,

And threw myself on Thee, man's Better Part;

Thine arms were open'd wide, thy mercies smiled;

I found my Friend, and now - He dwelleth in my heart.

-Anonymous

Return to Table of Contents