IF WE KNEW EACH OTHER BETTER.
Could we but draw back the curtains
That surround each other's lives,
See the naked heart and spirit,
Know what spur the action gives—
Often we would find it better,
Purer than we judged we would.
We would love each other better
If we only understood. If we knew the cares and trials,
Knew the efforts all in vain,
And the bitter disappointment,
Understood the loss and gain,
Would the grim external roughness
Seem, I wonder, just the same?
Would we help where now we hinder,
Would we pity where we blame? Ah! we judge each other harshly
Knowing not life's hidden force;
Knowing not the fount of action
Is less turbid at its source;
Seeing not amid the evil
All the golden grains of good;
O, we'd love each other better
If we only understood!