Love Thyself Last
Love thyself last. Look near, behold thy duty
To those who walk beside thee down lifes road;
Make glad their days by little acts of beauty,
And help them bear the burden of earths load.
Love thyself last. Look far and find the stranger,
Who staggers neath his sin and his despair;
Go lend a hand, and lead him out of danger,
To heights where he may see the world is fair.
Love thyself last. The vastnesses above thee
Are filled with Spirit Forces, strong and pure.
And fervently, these faithful friends shall love thee:
Keep thou thy watch oer others, and endure.
Love thyself last; and oh, such joy shall thrill thee,
As never yet to selfish souls was given.
Whateer thy lot, a perfect peace will fill thee,
And earth shall seem the ante-room of Heaven.
Love thyself last, and thou shall grow in spirit
To see, to hear, to know, and understand.
The message of the stars, lo, thou shall hear it,
And all Gods joys shall be at thy command.
Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
