Manon's Garden

This Gift Of Joy

This could be
so very brief
this gift of joy.

This could be forever:
it is golden
like a summer afternoon.

Out of grief
and out of folly
come these blessings --

You and I
the orphans
come into our own.

And who are we
but strangers?
I do not understand

how God or fate
could mean for us
this gift of joy.

Come take my hand
and tell me
this is not a dream --

say this is forever:
I'll believe it
if you do.