A Rainy Day

A Rainy Day

How soft the clouds of gray, and neutral is the day;
How rhythmical the rain, against the window-pane.
How newly wash'd and clean the foliage of green;
How good the smell of rain upon the dusty plain.

How sweet and fresh the air, so free from dust and glare.
What rest for eyes that ache, and nerves so tensely wake.
Just like a bath, is air so cool and damp and rare!
Let all our senses wake, and gratefully partake.

Raindrops in puddles glow, and wid'ning circles grow.
Streams run like little rills, in furrows down the hills.
The trees bend to and fro, to bow their thanks, I know,
And streams that once were rills, now turn the watermills.

Curl'd blades of corn uncurl, and show within a pearl.
Cattle in deep morass bit luscious rain-wet grass.
All nature is refresh'd, and by God's care is blest.
His favors far surpass all we can think or ask.

O life, with sorrow fill'd, O heart, that ne'er is stilled,
The rain comes thee to bless; after the storm comes rest!
Let not thy faith in God grow faint beneath the rod.
Just pillow on His breast, He knoweth what is best.