The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-07-25
COLLISIONS.

As diamonds sparkle in the light.
Are rayless in the shades OF night
Or seen through colored glass appear
The color OF the gldss to wear;
So do the windows bf the soul
The images within tontrol;
Their forms and colors, light and shade,
Are by the outward senses made.
Through perfect vifion nature shines.
Shows beauteous FIRMS and graceful lines,
But spectral shapeb and funeral gloom,
Through morbid si&ht, and film and rheum.
And taste depraved is prone to cheat
VIII make nausebus weed seem sweet
And poisonous drinks, and noxlous food
Preferred to whole3ome, pure ndgood
The ear, to jargon bred and used,
Will hear harmonious notes confused,
Or membrane stunhed or rent, mayhap,
BY cannon boom o1thunderclap,
viii say there is no voice nor sound,
Though Babels builders chatter round.
Thus weakened or perverted sense
Will serve US with Incompetence
Or manifest vicious force
And run true nature out OF course.
and thus each gro3eling, sordid mind
Will search the wofld in vain TO find
The shining treasures manifold
Its mines of thought and wisdom hold.
Foul passions stains and gloomy doubt
Will shut the blesded visions out,
To dingy dross change lustrous gold,
And paint the fresh earth grim and old,
Turn diamond to alworthless stone,
And chiidhood's laughter to groan.
See how distorted partial views
Through dim and harrow avenues
Make shadows seem as real things,
And warp our bestlimaginings.
And mortals thus 4eluded rest
On fame and gain 10 make them blest,
Forget what wise Experience says,
And cling to broken promises;
On fame-that VAGUE, unreal form
Whose heart no generous feelings warm,
Whose outstretch4d hand no love imparts.
But points them opt for envy's darts;
And cruel mammoh-that false god
Men worship whild he plies the rod
They groan, but still his service keep,
Though wounds and nightmare murder sleep
Most cruel oft whdn worshiped most
He jflts them as abeering ghost,
Then sinks amid the gloom away.
As night absorbs the waning day.
Yet more deceived the idle throng
Who row no boat, put float along,
Who quit the feldb Of useful strife
And make q childish toy OF life,
Deem pleasure paradise enough,
And waste their hdur at blind mans buff"
And, catching shadows, wildly guess
Each phantom forth is happiness;
But blind. see not bier shining face.
And pass her in their hapless chase.
Meanwhile she laughs and sings for all
Who hear and heet her gracious cali:
= Go, seek me not with selfish breast,
To be alone OF blisb possessed;
Your motive would defeat your aim;
Town me thus Would change my namc.
When thus pursued rise and fly,
As scared bird FROM hunters eye.
Go, see and hear. 4nd taste and feel,
All God and NATURE will reveal;
But keep your splits windows clean.
That visions may Ne clearly seen,
Lest in your twilight specters rise,
Or vices pose In Virtues guise.
For truth and duty you must learn,
And real from the kalse discern.
You'll see me when your eyes are free
From coveting and jealousy.
Your gladdenei ear will hear my voice,
When yours has mhde the sad rejoice.
You'll feel my presence when your hand
Has helped fallen one to stand.
You'll clasp me in d rapt embrace,
When your love clasps the human race"
". R. w. Horton, in Western Rural.