F. A. F.
When upon eyes long dim, to whom the light
Of sun and stars had unfamiliar grown—
Eyes that so long in deepening shades had known
The mystic visions of the inner sight—
Day broke, at last, after the weary night,
I cannot think its sudden glory shone
In pitiless brightness, dazzling, clear, and white—
A piercing splendor on the darkness thrown!
Softly as moonlight steals upon the skies,
Slowly as shadows creep at set of sun,
Gently as falls a mother’s tender kiss,
So softly stole the light upon his eyes;
So slowly passed the shadows one by one;
So gently dawned the morning of his bliss!