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W1686 MARY A. AMBROSE AND JOHN R. EASTMAN: Poem and calling cards.
Jan 1 1906
To:
From:

Nothing But Leaves
1
1.
Nothing but leaves, the spirit grieves,
Over a wasted life-
Sins committed while conscience slept;
Promises made but never kept;
Hatred, battle and strife;
Nothing but leaves.

2.
Nothing but leaves; no garnered sheaves
Of life's fair, - ripened grain;
Words, idle words, for earnest deeds;2
We reap with toil and pain,
Nothing but leaves.

(over)
3.
Nothing but leaves, Memory weaves.
No veil to screen the past;
As we retrace our weary way;
Counting each lost and mispent [sic] day,
We find sadly at last,
Nothing but leaves.

4.
And shall we meet the Master so,
Bearing our withered leaves?
The Saviour looks for perfect fruit-
We stand before Him, humbled, mute,
Waiting the words he breathes-
"Nothing but leaves"

1 This poem was enclosed with the calling cards of John R. Eastman and Mary I. Ambrose. See (W1687) and (W1688)

2 Verse missing from stanza two: "We sow our seeds, - lo! Tares and weeds:" From the poem "Nothing but Leaves" by Lucy E. Akerman (c. 1858)



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Copyright 2002 Whitehern Historic House and Garden
The development of this website was directed by Mary Anderson, Ph.D. and Janelle Baldwin, M.A.
Please direct questions and comments to Mary Anderson, Ph.D.

Hamilton Public Library This site was created in partnership with and is hosted by the Hamilton Public Library. Canada's Digital Collections This digital collection was produced with financial assistance from Canada's Digital Collections initiative, Industry Canada.