It takes long days of golden sun,
And many a drop of rain,
To start one flower from winters blight
To bud and bloom again.
If once from out a trusting eye
We cause a tear to steal,
A hundred words of warmest love
May not the anguish heal.
Then hurl no hasty, cruel shaft
To give another pain;
Let gentle words, like raindrops, swell
Cold hearts to life again.