Foresight: One

Yellow iris (Photo: Amiel Osmaston)

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'One by One' by Adelaide Anne Proctor

One by one the sands are flowing,
     One by one the moments fall:
Some are coming, some are going;
     Do not strive to grasp them all.

One by one thy duties wait thee;
     Let thy whole strength go to each;
Let no future dreams elate thee;
     Learn thou first what these can teach.

One by one,—bright gifts of heaven,--
     Joys are sent thee here below;
Take them readily when given;
     Ready be to let them go.

One by one thy griefs shall meet thee;
     Do not fear an armed band;
One will fade as others greet thee,--
     Shadows passing through the land.

Every hour that fleets so slowly
     Has its task to do our bear:
Luminous the crown and holy,
     When each gem is set with care.

Hours are golden links, God's token
     Reaching heaven; but one by one
Take them, lest the chain be broken
     Ere the pilgrimage be done.

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Adelaide Anne Procter (1825–1864) was an English poet and philanthropist.