CALM FACES

by
Max Ehrmann
Copyright 1954 by Bertha K. Ehrmann

Work well done and its just reward,
sunshine, rest and love - these are the
desiderata of happiness. In one fashion or
another we see them somewhere afar
in our path; and the vision keeps us in good
humor with the world and with
ourselves. "Sometime," we say, "we shall
come to our own - sometime." And
meanwhile life grows stiller and stiller,
rebellion settles to submission, great
ambitions turn to simple things. Though we
have been roughly awakened from
the intoxication of youth's enchanted
visions, if we have learned our lesson well,
may we still find a cheering ray of light
in the shadows of evening, and go with calm
faces among our neighbors and our friends.