There's no Dearth of Kindness

There's no dearth of kindness
In this world of ours;
Only- in our blindness
We gather thorns for flowers!
Outward, we are spurning —
Trampling one another!
While we are inly yearning
At the name of " Brother!"

There's no dearth of kindness
Or love among mankind,
But in darkling loneness
Hooded hearts grow blind!
Full of kindness tingling,
Soul is shut from soul,
When they might be mingling
In one kindred whole!

There's no dearth of kindness,
Tho' it be unspoken;
From the heart it sendeth
Smiles of heaven in token
That there be none so lowly,
But have some angel-touch:
Yet, nursing loves unholy,
We live for self too much!

As the wild-rose bloweth,
As runs the happy river,
Kindness freely floweth
In the heart for ever.
But if men will hanker
Ever for golden dust.
Best of hearts will canker,
Brightest spirits rust.

There's no dearth of kindness
In this world of ours;
Only in our blindness
We gather thorns for flowers!
O cherish God's best giving,
Falling from above!
Life were not worth living,
Were it not for Love.