Homespun
Hymns
Poems by
Elizabeth
Sheppard
OblSB
BA
BTh
BPhil
GradDipEd
STB
DipMus
ACertCM(UK)
AdvDipAbStuds
NILA
read
at
Poetry
and
the
Sacred
Assurances
Race
Transgressions
Mortality
Cathedra
Fremantle Triptych
Dawn Prayer
Easter
2
Land
of
Sunshine
I
met
a
man
the
other
day,
while
walking
down
the
track,
He
said,
“I’m
getting
weary,
with
this
load
upon
my
back.”
I
shared
his
load;
he
stood
up
straight,
and
when
he
smiled
at
me,
His
smile
held
a
vision
of
Australia’s
destiny.
Australia
is
a
country
where
deserts
bloom
in
spring,
Where
water
flows
beneath
the
rock,
where
fire
gives
birth
to
seed.
Australia
is
a
people
who
dare
to
sing
and
dream,
Who
dance
and
laugh
at
fire
and
flood,
and
stand
by
word
and
deed.
And
in
this
land
of
sunshine,
where
we
in
faith
unite
We’ll
build
a
home
together,
in
peace,
and
truth,
and
light.
The
man
I
met
said
“Slow
down,
mate,
you
go
too
fast
for
me!
I
cannot
speak
your
language,
and
I
do
not
know
your
creed.”
I
said
to
him,
“Don’t
worry,
mate!”
(for
he
was
full
of
fear),
“Our
God
will
help
us
find
the
way,
for
truly,
God
is
here.”
Australia
is
a
country
where
dreamings
all
come
true;
Australia
is
a
country
where
we
make
ourselves
anew,
May
everlastings
grow
in
sand,
may
we,
receiving,
give;
May
water
flow
from
living
stone,
may
we,
in
burning,
live.
And
in
this
land
of
sunshine,
where
we
in
faith
unite,
We’ll
build
a
home
together,
in
peace,
and
truth,
and
light.
3
Assurances
4
By
faith
we
live
5
Lord,
as
we
go
to
do
your
work
6
Life
in
Christ
Race
Cheeks
flushed
with
sun,
the
runners
crouch,
taut
at
the
start.
Backs
arch,
hearts
thud.
And
then,
the
gun.
Swift
limbs,
obedient
to
the
swifter
will
Hurl
each
one
out
into
the
streaming
race,
pace
after
pace,
Heart
pounding,
straining
on
towards
the
tape.
The
will
is
leader
to
the
struggling
flesh,
And
when
the
mind
has
won,
the
body
rests.
All
life’s
a
race:
the
cosmic
oval
teems
With
frantic
figures
rushing
here
and
there,
but
few
know
where.
Those
who
discern
their
end
run
certainly;
The
others
stumble,
or
pretend
to
see,
desperately.
Only
the
one
who
sees
the
goal
can
grasp
The
mastery
of
will
the
course
demands,
Teaching
the
limbs
obedience
to
those
states
that
life
dictates.
We
run
through
death,
our
Passover
to
life.
We
see
it,
comprehend
it,
bear
its
pain,
make
this
our
aim:
By
good
to
overcome
it,
and
obtain
The
crown
St
Paul
calls
incorruptible.
By
love
the
kindness
of
mankind
is
born;
By
faith
the
pity
of
mankind
sustained;
Though
will
is
leader
to
the
struggling
flesh,
God’s
grace
alone
can
lead
the
soul
to
rest.
7
Transgressions
I
crossed
a
line
the
other
day
–
the
line
of
no
return,
And
found
myself
turned
inside
out,
with
everything
to
learn.
I
hung
my
psyche
out
to
dry,
I
scrubbed
my
filthy
soul,
I
ironed
my
smiley
handkerchief,
and
creased
its
joyful
folds,
I
soaked
my
grief-‐stained
memory,
erased
each
sorrow-‐spot,
Wrung
out
my
guilt,
and
rinsed
my
sins,
spun
out
my
anger-‐froth.
Now,
neon-‐white
with
goodness,
clothed
in
shining
agape,
I
find
The
line
I
crossed
has
vanished,
and
I
can
find
my
way.
I
lost
a
job
the
other
day
–
the
job
of
no
return,
And
found
myself
turned
inside
out,
with
everything
to
learn.
I
dusted
off
my
intellect,
I
polished
up
my
skills,
I
wiped
my
image
mirror,
swallowed
several
meekness
pills,;
I
vacuumed
up
my
hang-‐ups
and
I
tossed
them
in
the
bin,
Tore
up
my
doubts,
rewrote
my
faith,
repented
of
my
sins.
Now,
knowing
faults
and
failings,
user-‐friendly,
debts
unpaid,
I
find
The
job
I
lost
has
vanished,
yet
I
can
find
my
way.
I
found
a
cross
the
other
day
–
the
cross
of
no
return,
And
found
myself
turned
inside
out,
with
everything
to
learn.
I
listened
to
the
children,
I
listened
to
the
poor;
I
laughed
in
sorrow,
cried
in
joy
–
their
pain
became
my
door.
I
threw
away
timidity,
excuses,
caution,
pride,
Forgot
my
greed
and
neediness,
anxiety
and
care.
And
as
I
am
alone
no
more,
because
I’m
at
their
side,
The
cross
I
found
so
hard
to
bear
has
now
become
my
guide.
I
found
my
death
the
other
day
–
the
death
of
no
return,
And
found
myself
a
child
again,
with
everything
to
learn.
I
tried
to
see,
but
I
was
blind,
I
tried
to
hear,
in
vain,
I
tried
to
speak,
but
had
no
voice,
I
tried
to
walk,
but
fell.
In
helplessness
I
sought
my
God,
and
called
on
him
for
aid;
He
sent
me
love
and
peace
and
joy,
companions
for
the
way.
And
as
I
travel
on
my
road,
surrounded
by
his
love,
I’ll
pass
in
grace
through
death
itself,
by
following
Christ’s
way.
8
Giving
Thanks
to
God
9
Mortality
The
end
of
years
seems
far
away
to
the
young.
All
they
will
do,
and
all
they
will
see,
lies
between.
When
your
children
look
at
you,
unseeing,
With
a
kindly
pity,
gentle
condescension,
When
the
body
fails
and
falls,
and
weakness
wins,
Then
you
have
come
to
the
place
that’s
called
the
end
of
years.
And
for
those
who
are
there,
in
that
twilight
place,
there
is
faith,
For
the
spirit
shines
strong
when
the
cloak
of
flesh
falls
off,
And
a
smile,
or
a
word,
or
a
gentle
hand
speaks
of
love,
For
the
end
of
years
is
not
far
away
for
us
all.
10
Cathedra
The
church
is
empty,
and
plastic
flowers
bloom
on
the
altar.
The
strength
of
men
is
withered
away
by
the
world,
And
suffering
hands
dismiss
the
terrible
chalice.
The
wine
is
bitter
in
the
cup:
we
will
drink
deeply.
The
body
is
broken:
sheds
of
iron
are
our
cathedrals.
The
terror
of
Christ
has
darkened
our
garden.
“God
is
dead!”
is
the
cry
of
the
empty
heart.
Christ,
born
for
me,
mourn
for
me,
far
from
thee,
wretchedly
Tossed
in
the
tempest,
wandering
wide.
Soul,
think
of
me,
drink
of
me,
Live
for
me
lovingly,
Rest
on
my
mercy,
willingly
tied.
11
Fremantle
Triptych
Dawn
Prayer
O
God,
your
creation
is
wonderful;
The
rising
sun
reflects
your
radiance.
Lord,
send
me
your
Spirit,
So
that
I
may
perceive
your
presence
in
my
world,
Sanctify
my
perceptions
in
prayer,
And
embody
your
Word
in
my
actions.
O
Lord,
turn
my
steps
toward
Sion;
Sustain
me
in
my
journey.
O
great
Master
of
mankind,
Grant
me
the
courage
to
speak
your
Word.
Easter
Christ
is
risen!
Beat
the
drum!
Off
with
sorrow,
hail
the
Son!
Sins
forgiv’n,
peace
everlasting,
Joy
of
God
past
understanding!
Death’s
dominion
holds
no
fear;
Though
we
die,
we
all
shall
live!
So
although
we
suffer
pain,
So
Christ
did,
and
Christ
shall
reign.
12
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