"Teacher?" I looked into great haunted eyes--
School was dismissed--Then small Lemuel said,
"Why an I black?" How those shadowed orbs pled--
Set in a face dark as ebony skies
Asking for stars--seeking answers to whys!
Seeing his soul reaching out to be fed
Fair as the lilies where fields knew His tread;
Feeling His presence, I gave these replies:
Heaven is kind; you will have no regrets.
Gently will Jesus, the Master of right,
Tender and loving--Not one He forgets--
Welcome you back to His Home of delight:
Gardens of lilies and frail violets ...
There you shall pick them with hands that are white.
