A Mirage of Life

IMPROVEMENT ERA

of making arable our vast domain of arid lands. From Pioneer Day, 1847, to the present the stream of im- migration to the erstwhile desert has never ceased. Over the great Temple today float the flags of the Nation, expressive of the devotion and loyalty of the people in the current world crisis.

A Mirage of Life I my soul, "Now's the time to be gay, said to seek the world's pleasures and join with the throng; I'll No shadow shall dim my horizon today; My harp I will tune to the merriest song." I then saw a broad road, well peopled, ahead, Bestrewn with fine roses of varying hue; All the briars from the path of the traveler were cleared, No clouds marred the sunshine. of Heaven's bright blue. I hurried my feet to this scene, at the dawn, But found the way slippery; I hardlv could move; All the roses were gone, leaving only the thorns, And mists rose and shut out the sunshine above. Now rosy and tempting, all covered with dew, I saw all the rich fruits my heart could desire;

While longing to reach some, more eager I grew, I thought of the eating I never could tire.

Yet, when I possessed them their lustre had fled; I found 'twas a phantom my fancy had chased There was only the husks left, all withered and dead, What I thought would be sweet was as gall to my taste. Away in the distance a sparkling lake Of pure crystal water arose to my sight. I ran with the foremost in haste to partake; For daylight was fading, and soon it was night.

I walked and I ran, and I ran and I walked, To quench my great thirst ere the darkness should fall But sorrow enwrapt me, I found I was balked; 'Twas only a mirage of life, after all.

Ah, me! I was weary, dejected and sore, All the birds ceased their song and the woods their refrain; Gray clouds at my folly shed tears o'er and o'er, And the eyes of the gloaming closed slowly in pain. The world's fleeting pleasure at best only cloys, Though Satan entice with his glitter and show; But durable treasures and heavenly joys Await all who patiently fight their way through. Hannah Ward Bennett. Salt Lake City.