OLD FRIENDS

WE just shake hands at meeting,
With many that come nigh,
We nod the head in greeting
To many that go by.
But we welcome through the gateway
Our few old friends and true;
The hearts leap up and straightway
There's open house for you,
Old friends,
Wide-open house for you.

The surface will be sparkling,
Let but a sunbeam shine,
But in the deep lies darkling
The true life of the wine.
The forth is for the many,
The wine is for the few;
Unseen, untouched of any,
We keep the best for you,
Old friends,
The very best for you.

"The many" cannot know us ,
The only pace the strand
Where at our wors we show us,
The waters thick with sand;
But out beyond the leaping
Dim surge "'t is clear and blue,"
And there, old friends, we're keeping
A waiting calm for you,
Old friends,
A sacred calm for you

The Humbler Poets.