Despondency was written by Ms. Alcott as a young teenager in 1845, when she just wanted a room of her own, rather than “more people coming to live with us.” She grew up in a healthy religious environment, did not doubt or question faith, fought evils, and trusted in the sure power of right in order to “smile through the darkest hours.” The poem is featured in Louisa May Alcott: Her Life, Letters, and Journals (1889).
Silent and sad,
When all are glad,
And the earth is dressed in flowers;
When the gay birds sing
Till the forests ring,
As they rest in woodland bowers.
Oh, why these tears,
And these idle fears
For what may come to-morrow?
The birds find food
From God so good,
And the flowers know no sorrow.
If He clothes these
And the leafy trees,
Will He not cherish thee?
Why doubt His care;
It is everywhere,
Though the way we may not see.
Then why be sad
When all are glad,
And the world is full of flowers?
With the gay birds sing,
Make life all Spring,
And smile through the darkest hours.
