There Came To Me In The Morning

There came to me in the morning of a sweet fragrant summer day

When the dew that was yet on the clover like gems on their blossoms lay.

A voice came to me in the stillness a voice that was low and sweet

Me-thinks ‘twas the voice of an angel for it quickened my tired feet.

It seemed to whisper a question in accents soft and mild

I felt it gently caressing me as a mother would her child.

Ere it came my heart was lonely a-waiting I knew not what

Then it came and a pang of longing through my earth-bound soul shot.

It severed the bonds that bound me to a proud and sinful world

And sent me soaring upward with a victors’ flag unfurled.

Then to my waking spirit the wanderlust feeling came

I longed to leave my duty and search for the fields of fame.

I longed to run to the forest to think and dream and roam

For I knew the beings of nature would gladly welcome me home.

I longed to gaze through the treetops at the deep blue of the sky

And at the call of nature send back my triumphant cry.

I longed to send through the stillness the cry of the untamed soul

To go as my heart directed until I reached the goal.

The wants of the savage was in me to roam untrammeled far

‘Till I came to the fields of glory where the deathless poets are.

There I’d be one among them – my language they’d understand.

They’d welcome me as a pilgrim returned from a foreign land.

I know they will receive me – will welcome me home at last

But I cannot leave the schoolhouse where duty holds me fast.

So wings of the morning whisper another message to me

Bid me love and finish my work then my spirit shall be free.

Written by Ida May Schaffer

August 31, 1923

Age of 17