Near Shady Wall A Rose Once Grew

Near shady wall a rose once grew
Budded and blossomed in God’s free light,
Watered and fed by morning dew
Shedding its sweetness day and night. As it grew and blossomed fair and tall
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall
Through which there shone a beam of light. Onward it crept with added strength
With never a thought of fear of pride,
It followed the light through the crevices length
And unfolded itself on the other side. The light, the dew, the broadening view
Were found the same as they were before,
And it lost itself in beauties new
Breathing its fragrance more and more.Shall claim of death cause us to grieve
And make our courage faint or fail,
Nay, let us faith and hope receive,
The rose still grows beyond the wall
Scattering fragrance far and wide,
Just as it did in the days of yore
Just as it did on the other side
Just as it will forever more.