"GIVE THEM THE FLOWERS NOW---"

                         GIVE THEM THE FLOWERS NOW

                     Closed eyes can't see the white roses,

                         Cold hands can't hold them, you know,

                   Breath that is still cannot gather

                       The fragrance that sweet from them blows.

                   Death with a peace beyond dreaming,

                       The children of earth doth endow;

                  Life is the time we can help them,

                      So give them the flowers now.

                Here are the struggles and strivings,

                     Here are the cares and the tears; 

               Now is the time to be smoothing

                    The frowns and the furrows and fears.

              What to the closed eyes are kind sayings,

                   What to hushed heart is deep vow?

             Naught can avail after parting,

                 So give them the flowers now.

            Just a kind word or a greeting

                Just a warm grasp or a smile---

           These are the flowers that will lighten

               The burdens for many a mile.

          After the journey is over,

               What is the use of them? How

         Can they carry them who must be carried?

               O give them the flowers now!

         Blooms from the happy heart's garden,

              Plucked in the spirit of love;

        Blooms that are earthly reflections

             Of flowers that blossom above.

        Words cannot tell what a measure

             Of blessings such gifts will allow

        To dwell in the lives of many;--

            So give them the flowers now.

Leigh M. Hodges