Anna Laetitia Waring poems

Anna Laetitia Waring(19 April 1823 - 10 May 1910 / Galmorganshire, Wales)

To the Superior Animal

- by Anna Laetitia Waring 29

To sum up all, I'm old -- and that's
A fact the years decide;
It is a common thing with cats
And not a thing to hide.

But to feel what it is -- how kind
How true to love and law
For this you must be quite resigned
And not avoid its paw.

It does not come as reckless foe
A shrinking prey to take,
But with soft footstep that we know
By comfort in its wake.

Though it spoils something -- that is true,
Which we must learn to lack
And takes alike from me and you
What never does come back.

It caters for our failing strength
In many a dainty scrap,
And gently lays us at our length
In some secluded lap.

It may bless you -- (I think it should)
Beyond what I make out,
With things perhaps too great and good
For cats to talk about.

Since I find in it blessing free
From all it can destroy,
And so its progress is to me
A miracle of joy.

But my look out to occupy
And make the most of that.
You must be quite as old as I,
If not yourself a Cat!

Go Not Far From Me, O My God

- by Anna Laetitia Waring 28

Go not far from me, O my God,
Whom all my times obey;
Take from me anything Thou wilt,
But go not Thou away,
And let the storm that does thy work
Deal with me as it may.

On thy compassion I repose
In weakness and distress:
I will not ask for greater ease,
Lest I should love Thee less.
Oh, 'tis a blessed thing for me
To need thy tenderness.

When I am feeble as a child,
And flesh and heart give way,
Then on thy everlasting strength
With passive trust I stay,
And the rough wind becomes a song;
The darkness shines like day.

Deep unto deep may call, but I
With peaceful heart can say,
Thy loving-kindness hath a charge
No waves can take away:
Then let the storm that speeds me home
Deal with me as it may.