The Two Waitings

John White Chadwick (1840–1904)

DEAR hearts, you were waiting a year ago

For the glory to be revealed;

You were wondering deeply, with bated breath,

What treasure the days concealed.

O, would it be this, or would it be that?

Would it be girl or boy?

Would it look like father or mother most?

And what should you do for joy?

And then, one day, when the time was full,

And the spring was coming fast,

The tender grace of a life outbloomed,

And you saw your baby at last.

Was it or not what you had dreamed?

It was, and yet it was not;

But O, it was better a thousand times

Than ever you wished or thought.

II.

And now, dear hearts, you are waiting again,

While the spring is coming fast;

For the baby that was a future dream

Is now a dream of the past:

A dream of sunshine, and all that ’s sweet;

Of all that is pure and bright;

Of eyes that were blue as the sky by day,

And as clear as the stars by night.

You are waiting again for the fulness of time,

And the glory to be revealed;

You are wondering deeply with aching hearts

What treasure is now concealed.

O, will she be this, or will she be that?

And what will there be in her face

That will tell you sure that she is your own,

When you meet in the heavenly place?

As it was before, it will be again,

Fashion your dream as you will;

When the veil is rent, and the glory is seen,

It will more than your hope fulfil.