TheSonnetsandPoetryofHelenFrazeeBower
ByHelenFrazeeBower
CollectedandEditedBy
ChristopherD.Robison
AbidingInHim
JesusChristthesameyesterday,andtoday,andforever
Hebrews13:8
C
HRISTWASTHELORDOFALLMYYESTERDAYS,
NomatterwhereIstood:
Insad,instormy,orinsunlitways,
IfoundHispresencegood.
ChrististheLordofmytoday:Thedawn
Beyondmymorninghill
Comesupinglorywhenthenightisgone;
AndChristiswithmestill.
SoIcantrustHimfortomorrowtoo,
Thoughskiesbedarkorfair:
Itwillnotmattereveryskyisblue
WhenChrist,myLord,isthere.
*AsseeninKingsBusinessMagazine
ABlackbirdBathes
T HISSTRUTTING,SABLEBIRDDEFIES
Alloldwive'sfables:hedenies
Thatblackismeantformourning.See
Withwhatexquisiteecstasy
Hesavorslife:thewholeofbliss
To u hisfeathersanddismiss
Thedustofearth,beneaththisspray.
Hedipsandducksandstrutsaway,
Togivehiswingsafurtive ip
Andcockhisheadtowatchthandrip.
Hissombemessisbutaguise
Perhapsifwewerejustaswise
Asonesmallblackbird,wecouldrift
Ourdarknesstoo,and ndthegift
Fromwhichhissatisfactionsprings;
Thejoythatlurksinsimplethings.
*AsseeninArizonaHighwaysMagazine
AboveTheClouds
L IKEGREATGRAYBIRDSOFDOOMABOVEOURPLANE,
Thedarkcloudsthreatened,brokeindeluge,
poured
Againstthewindowsblindingsheetsofrain.
Theskywasominous;butstillwesoared.
Andthenasuddenmiracleoflight:
Thesuninallitsglory,golden,warm;
And,farbelow,aseaofsoftclouds,white
Asdrivensnow.We ewabovethestorm.
OnGod'sside,allourcloudsmustlooklikethese.
Whatseemstoussosinisterandgrim
Thetears,thetests,thetrialsandtragedies
UnfoldassomethingbeautifultoHim.
Heknowswhatwonderwaitsbeyondearth'sstrife.
RidehighwithHimabovethestormsoflife.
*AsseeninWarCryMagazine
ABride'sSong
Y
OURNAMEISPROUDASLILIESWHITEANDSTILL,
Yournameisdeepaswaterwithoutsound,
Asradiantassunlightonahill,
Assecretasthe rstbudsoutofground;
Yournameisquietnesswhentrumpets are,
Yournameissingingwhenthesilencepalls.
Ascoolascurtainsblowinginair,
Assoftaselmtreeswhenthe rstsnowfalls.
Beloved,youhavegivenmethisthing
Thatclothesmeroundwithwindandstaranddew,
Withswiftexultingandshywondering,
Thatmakesmenotmyselfbutpartofyou
Astrangenewcreaturebornofsongand ame:
Beloved,youhavegivenmeyourname!
Acceptance
O NEDAYITHOUGHTTOASKGOD,WHY?"
AndthenIlookedintothesky
AndsawHissteadfaststarsrideout
Thestorm.Therewasnotalkofdoubt.
IwalkedHis eldsand,underfoot,
Itrampledpetal,stalkandroot.
Theonlyanswertotheirdoom,
Fromeveryblossom,wasperfume.
Asmallbird,seekingcrumbsinvain,
Flu eduphisfeathersintherain
Andlifteduphisvoicetosing
Withoutathoughtofquestioning.
Instar,inbloom,insmallbird'strill,
IsawacceptanceofGod'swill.
WhatbasepresumptionthenthatI
ShoulddaretoaskmyFather,Why?"
*AsseeninMoodyMonthlyMagazine
AChildWatchingTrees
W HENMYSAVIOURCAMETOME
Hewascradledinatree:
Roughandrudethemangerbed
WhereLordJesuslaidHishead;
WhenmySaviouscametodie
OnatreetheynailedHimhigh;
Thisishowmychildthoughtsrun.
Watchinggreentreesinthesun.
Youngtreeswearajoywiththem:
DotheydreamofBethlehan?
Greattreeskeepsuchdignity
TheyrememberCalvary.
ADesertedHouse
W HEREISTHEJOY,THELAUGHTERANDTHEMIRTH
Thatoncethesewalls,nowcrumblingruins,
held?
Fled,longsince eddownscatteredwaysofearth;
Onewiththedustbyvagrantwindsdispelled.
Wherearethefeetthattrodsolightlyhere,
Thecarelessspokenwords,thedreamsunsaid?
Naught,naughtremainsofthatforgottencheer;
Silenced,thehallsreechotonotread.
Whattalesoflove,ofromance,mightunfold
Ifwallshadlips,orwindowswerenotdumb,
Wemaynotknow:theyjealouslywithhold
Allthathasbeenfromthosewhogoandcome;
Savewherewe ndamongtherubbishcast
Achild'sbrokentoy,tolinkuswiththepast.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
ADoctor'sPrayer
G ODOFTHEHUMANBODY,LETMEBE
OnlyaninstrumentemployedbyThee:
TheknowledgeandthehealingskillareThine;
Thereadyhands,thewillingheart,aremine.
BeforeIturntotheappointedtask,
DiscernmentfordecisionIwouldask.
Letmenotworkalone,unguided,blind:
TouchwithThywisdomthissurrenderedmind.
Thegiftoflife,somanyhungerfor,
Thyhandalonehaspowertorestore.
Godthehumanbody,letmebe
OnlyaninstrumentemployedbyThee.
ADoveAtDawn
H
EARTOFTHEDAWN,IHEARDYOUAFTERSUN
Movethroughthetreeswhiledaywasyetunsaid.
Softstirredtheleavesyourbriefthrobsonebyone
Fellontheearlikegriefsuncomforted.
Pathoswastheresorareandexquisite
Imarveled.Didlostmemoriesstartawake,
Pullatyourstringsandmoveacrossthenight,
Thatsuddenyoushouldrise,andsob,andbreak?
HeartoftheDawn,Iknewyouforabird,
Graywing,rosebreastdawn'sblendedharmonies.
AndyetIknewyounot.Ionlyheard,
Outoftheshyconfusionofthetrees,
Onewhitewordliftandtremblespellinglove.
WasityourselfOHeart,orGod,orDove?
*AsseeninContemporaryVerseMagazine
Adventure
H
ECOULDNOTTELLWHATHESOUGHTINTHEWOOD,
Buthekeptgoingon;
Wonderpulledathissleeve,brushedhiscoat
Andwasgone.
Squirrelsscuttleduptrees,andhestood
Trans xedwithdesire;
Somethingtickledhisearwithtwowords
Farther,higher".
Hecouldnottellwhathewantedto nd,
Buthekeptlookinghere,
Lookingthere,untilsmallreachinghands
Closedonfear:
Untilcoldnesscreptdownthroughhisspine,
Andhisfeetwouldnotstir...........
Nowheknewwhathelongedtoembrace
MotherER!"
AdviceForYoungGrief
S NAPATTHEGREENTWIG,KICKATTHECLOD,
Burythebrownleafunder,
Say,Itisover",laughatGod.
Willthathelpmuch,IWonder?
Therewillbeothertwigsthatwillgrow,
Clodsandbrownleavesaplenty:
Allthatyoulearnyoudonotknow,
Whenyouareonlytwenty.
Eyesonthegreentwig,cheekontheclod,
Handsthroughthebrownleavescreeping,
Say,Iamstupid,helpme,God"
Thatistheendofweeping.
*AsseeninKaleidographMagazine
AfternoonWithPatricia:Ambition
M
YFATHERSAYS,LEGITIMATE",
Irregularity",
Andclerical".Ihatesuchwords
Theyaretoobigforme.
Mymothersays,Preciselyso",
Andpoise"andwomanhood"
Iwouldn'twanttotalklikethat
Herwordssoundgoodygood.
Mysistergurgles,myheartthrob",
Andultra"anddivine";
Thewordsshesaysaresicklysweet
Theywouldn'tdoformine.
Mybrotherblurtsoutfoomanchoo",
Andnaa"andgoo"andstu ";
Ifwordslikethatmakesenseatall,
Theystilldon'tmakeenough!
Butdownbesidethe shingwharf,
Withcrabsandqueerseabirds,
LivesUncleJoe(Ilikehimlots)
Andmy,heknowsthewords!
Hemendsthenets,andwinkshiseye,
Andnearlylaysme at
Withfanmyeyebrows",blowmedown"
IfIcouldtalklikethat!
AfternoonWithPatricia:Romance
T HENICESTMANIEVERKNEW
(Youguesshim,ifyoucan)
Callsonustwiceineveryweek
Yesit'sthegarbageman.
OnWednesdaysandonSaturdays
Hedrivesbyandheyells,
Hello,girls!"Thenhecarrieso
Themostpeculiarsmells:
Theawfulthingsthat oattous
Oneverypassingbreeze
Likeorangepeel,andsauerkraut,
Andmouldycottagecheese.
Myfatherisanengineer,
AndDavesays,Art'sthestu ";
ButIshallmarrythegarbageman
WhenIamoldenough.
Mysistersaystochooseyourman
Forallthegiftshebrings
Likeviolets,andchocolatecreams,
Andfursanddiamondrings.
Iwonderifmysisterknows
(She'solderandshemay)
ButI'minlovewiththegarbageman
Forwhathetakesaway!
AfterQuarreling
O H,SOMEMAYPINEANDSOMEMAYPOUT,
Butnonecanreallydowithout
Earth'sdearesttreasurefromabove
Thatlittleitemknownaslove.
DeargrownupsreplicaofDuane,
Yourstubbornessisallinvain:
Thoughsullenlytobedyoucreep
Ikissyouallnightinmysleep!
AfterThought
I FICOULDHOLDTHEBOOKOFLIFEAGAIN
Whereintheysaysomanywisdomshide,
SomegreatinmortalTruthImightretain
Whendriftingoutondeath'seternaltide.
Butasawillfulchildthatwillnotcon
Theprintedpagewhenpicturesmaybeseen,
SobraveIfoundthebeautyofthedawn,
Sofairthenight,Iwouldnotreadbetween.
Beforemyvisionpageonpageunrolled:
Whitenoons,Decembertwilights,twistedtrees,
Dogwoodandvioletsbreakingearth'sbrownmold,
Wideburningdeserts,andgreatlivingseas.
Withoneshortlifetimescantenoughtolook,
Ineverreadalineinallthebook.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
AgeIsForLove
Y OUTHISFORLOVE,THEPOETSLONGHAVESUNG
Inthreadbarewordsofmoonmistandof
dawn:
ThegreatOneFlame,litbravelybytheyoung,
Flickerswithage,burnsdimlyandisgone.
Theydonotknow,Beloved,thesewhomake
Alovethatrunstomusic,leapswithlight,
Quiversatstars,howstruggleandheartbreak
Havelita amethatburnsonthroughthenight.
Loveisforage.Whenheartsnolongertread
Thedangerousascent,thedeepabyss,
Whenallthatneedsauditionhasbeensaid
Andwonderwakesnolongerinakiss.
Stillburnsthe ame.Andtwo,intimeofstorm,
Drawuptoloveand nditsafeandwarm.
*AsseeninRadioP.C.Magazine
AHandyThing
S HEWHODONSAWEDDINGRING
Needsthishandylittlething:
Shecanrollandcutandbake,
ThingslikeMotherusedtomake;
Piecrustwillbe akier
Thisshouldmakeahitwithher.
And,forkeepingDadinline,
Hereissomethingvery ne,
Somethingsmoothandsleekandtrim,
Thatwillmakeahit"withhim
Whenshekonkshimonthedome"
Ifheeverstartstoroam.
ALadyChoosesRost
G IVEMETHERUST",SHESAID,ANDINHEREYES
Therewasalookthatwentbeyondthe
gown
Iknewthatshewaswalkingwithcleanskies
Beyondthenoisycon nesofthetown;
Iknewthatrussetleaves,indriftedheaps,
Crowdedthecomersofhermind;thatpart
Ofsomelosthopethelifedefeatedkeeps
Waspushingupthewindowsofherheart.
Iknewshewasrememberingtheway
Thecountryages,mellowingtorust,
Thatshehadfoundadreamfromyesterday
Andshewasnibblingatit,likeacrust.
Thesalesgirlwrappedthepackageandshewent.
Itwasnosale:Itwasasacrament.
*AsseeninHollandsMagazine
Alas!HowTrue
A
DANDELIONINTHESPRING
Canbethemostconfoundedthing!
Withinitsbrighteyedstareyousense
impertinence.
Forwellyouknowthat,onthesly,
Thelittlethingwillmultiply
Anddandelionseverywhere
Getinyourhair.
Andwhenyou ndthemthereyou'llmoan
Toseehowblondyourhairhasgrown.
Blondhair,blondlawn,takemuchshampoo
Hardworkandyou!
ALegendOfChildhood
G
ODGREWSOTIREDOFSITTING
WayupinHeavenalone,
Hesaid,I'llmakeanewthing,
Somethingmyveryown.
TheearththatIhavefashioned
Bymenhasbeende led."
Andso,topleaseHisfancy,
Godmadealittlechild.
Hetookaburstofsunshine
Andwroughtagoldensmile,
Thenwrappeditinalittleheart
Simpleandfreefromguile.
TwinstarsHestolefromHeaven
Tomaketheshiningeyes,
Androsycheekswerefashioned
Outwherethesunsetlies.
Abrookcamedancing,sparkling,
Hecaughtitssilvernote,
Andlo!aripplinglaughwasheard
Spilledfranatinythroat.
Andthen,becausealllaughter
Issweetermixedwithpain,
Hemadesometeardropsforhischild
Fromlittledropsofrain.
Itwasalotoflabor;
Butwhenthelittlechild
PlayedroundthedoorofHeaven
Godoftenwatched,andsmiled.
AndHeavenwasadi erentplace,
Till,lookingdownoneday,
Hesawalonelywanan
AndgaveHischildaway.
Alien
W ITHINTHESTILL,WHITEROOMTHATGAVEMEBIRTH,
Mybodybloomed,thecounterpartoftwo
Whoboreme;butalone,acrosstheearth.
Milesfromthatplace,thehearttheyneverknew
Bywisemoonfairiesonafarhighhill
Wasbeingwovenoutofthreadsofmist;
Itsfragilebeautywasathingmorestill
Thananylakethewindhaseverkissed.
AndIhaveborneitsecretlywithin,
Ashysoftwondersleepingatmybreast.
AndsuchhasbeendissemblanceIcouldwin
Thateventhosewhoboremehavenotguessed,
Whenmistymoonlightblowsfromtreetotree,
Howneartheyareatlastto ndingme.
ALittleSisterOfSt.Mary's
T HYFACEISSTILLASQUIETWORDSTHATSLIP
Intoforgottensilences;andyet,
Thereissuggestionintheupcurvedlip
Ofhiddensmilesthatonecannotforget.
Thouhastanairofbeingstrangelywise,
Asthoughthydignitygreatcomfortwere,
Buttherearemockinglightswithinthineeyes,
Andlaughterinthydraperiesastir.
Mostgrave,moststill,thinknotthatthoucanstblind
Theseeyesofminewithwisdomsoftheface!
Iknowthee,littlesisterofthewind
Thatlaughing itsfrcmplacetoforestplace,
Beneaththeserobesthatplayatdignity
Thouhastaheartallyouth,allgaiety!
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
AllForYou
1.
THEREISHILLONWHICHTHESAVIORDIED,
ThereisaCrosswhereChristwascruci ed,
ThereisaLovethatopensheavenwide
Andthisisallforyou.
CHORUS:
AllforyouthepainHebore.
AllforyouthethornsHewore;
Sinnercome,Inowimplore
Christhasdiedforyou!
2.ThereisaLighttoshineuponyourway.
ThereisaHandtoreachyouwhenyoustray,
ThereisaVoicetoguideyoudaybyday
Andthisisallforyou.
3.Thereisapeacethisworldcannota ord,
Thereisawaythesoulcanberestored,
ThereisafellowshipwithChristtheLord
Andthisisallforyou.
4.ThereisajoythatonlyChristcanbring,
Thereisasongthatonlysinnerssing.
Thereisahopetowhichthelostcancling
Andthisisallyouyou.
*AsseeninHopePublishingCompanyMagazine
AllThatIsMostImportantYetRemains
B ENOTDISCOURAGED,THOUGHTHEWAYSEEMSHARD
Allthatismostimportantyetremains:
Beautystillcomesatdaybreaktoyouryard,
Dressingeachcomerwithexquisitepains;
Colorandsong,andlaughterintheeyes
Oflittlechildrenyettooyoungtoknow,
Stilllendtoearthaglintofparadise
Andlightthelongdarkjourneyherebelow.
Benotdiscouraged,thoughthedaysoftoil
Yieldlittleincreaseandtheselfdenial
Seanshardtobeargoldisameagerspoil;
Andthatwhichiseternallyworthwhile,
GodfromHisgraciousbountystillletsfall
Norasksonesinglepennyforitall.
*AsseeninHolland'sMagazine
AllThingsAreNew
N OTFORTHENEWNESSOFTHEYEAR
Thoughitisjoytosee
HowfaithfullyThyseasonspass
Incontinuity,
Howsunnier,fall,andwintermove
Inneverceasingranks
Towardtheearth'sawakening
Butnotforthisbethanks.
Notforthenewnessoftheworld,
Thespringintendergreen,
Butforthenewnessoftheheart,
Butforthelifewashedclean,
Butforthegladsecurity
Thathallowsallwedo,
TheknowledgethatinJesusChrist
Behold,allthingsarenew.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
AllWasChanged
Odeath,whereisthysting?Ograve,whereisthyvictory?
ICorinthians15:55
T HEGARDENSEAREDASHROUDEDTHING,
Andallthenightwasstill:
Thelonelystarslookeddownupon
Threecrossesonahill.
Likefurtiveformstheshadowsmoved,
Theearthwaswrappedingloom:
ThatnighttheHopeofalltheworld
Laysealedwithinatomb.
Butonthemorrowallwaschanged,
Man'sgriefwasjoyinstead:
TherisenSaviorwalkedtheworld
AndonlyDeathwasdead.
*AsseeninBaptistStandardMagazine
AllWeLikeSheep
Allwelikesheephavegoneastray;wehaveturnedeveryonetohis
ownway;andtheLordhathlaidonhimtheiniquityofusall.
Isaiah53:6
A LLWELIKESHEEPHAVEGONEASTRAY,TOSEEK
Thegreenerpasturesandthelargerstreams;
Allwelikesheephavewandered,wornandweak,
Tonibbleatthefringeofemptydreams.
Whatdepthsofdesolationanddespair
Wouldbeourlot,ifwehadneverknown
TheShepherd'svoice,ifGodhadleftusthere
Toperishinourwanderings,alone!
ButnotourGod,butnotourblessedGod;
OnChristwaslaidtheburdenofoursin:
ThewearywaytoCalvaryHetrod,
Anddied,thateverymanmightenterin
Torestbyquietwaters,freshandclean,
Tofeedwherepasturesareforevergreen.
*AsseeninMoodyMagazine
AlmaMaterSong
W HENSPRINGRETURNSTOCAMPBELLSVILLE,
AnddogwoodbloomsonCollegeHill,
Infancythenourspiritstoo
Willseekagainthepathstheyknew.
Andwhenthe amingmaplesburn.
Inautumndreamswewillreturn,
Recallinghopesasbraveandhigh
Aswindlesswayswherewildgeese y.
Andeverysunsetskywillbe
Throughalltheyearsofmanory,
Howeverfarourfeetmaystray,
Aglimpseofgarnetandofgray.
CHORUS
DearAlma.Mater,wewilllift
Inpraiseofyouachoicergift
Thansongcanbethegiftofyouth,
CommittedtotheWordofTruth.
AMeadowlarkAtDusk
A TDUSK,AMEADOWLARK!ANDALLMYHEART,
Thathasknownwearinessthroughcountless
daya,
Leapsinresponse.Whatsweettumultuousart
Thatbrave,brightnoteofbubblingblissbetrays.
Abovethegreening elds,perchedonawire,
Unconsciousofmylisteningearsbelow,
Heliftsalofthisgladsonghighandhigher
HeliftsmyspiritwithitDoesheknow?
Forsixbraveminutesbythekitchenclock
Bysingingbeautyismyheartsetfree,
Andthenhe iesperhapstojointhe ock;
Nightandthestarsanddutystillforme
Butwearinessslipsfrommelikeahusk
Healedbyasongameadowlarkatdusk.
*AsseeninWomen'sMagazineEnglandMagazine
America'sHope
O H,BRIGHTAGAINSTTHECLOUDEDSKY,
Thewelllovedbannergleams;
Itssilkenfoldstheancienthope
Ofallourpatriot'sdreams.
Yetnever,throughthetroubledyears,
Hasloveoflandsu ced:
Thatnationonlyshallendure
ThatbowstoJesusChrist.
AMother'sSongForHerDaughter
I CANNOTTELLHERALLSHEMEANSTOME:
Thereisnowordthatmothers ndtosay
Forlovesodeep;butIcantoilthatshe
Mayhavetheleisuretobeyoungandgay.
Iwatchhersometimesandshedoesnotknow
HowIamblessingherforallthedear
Abandonofherjoy;andhowIgrow
Instrengthandwisdomjustbehavehernear.
Adaughtergivesherselfwithoutrestraint,
Heryouthdropsbrightestwonderatmyfeet;
AndthoughI'msel shsometimes,nocomplaint
Ofmineshallmarthesedaysshemakescomplete
Icannottellhernow;butwhentheyears
Havetaughtusunderstanding,thenwetwo
Will ndsomewordandthroughamistoftears
I'llsay,Mydaughter,Ihavelivedinyou".
AMother'sThanksgiving
N
OWISTHETIMEFORGIVINGTHANKS,
AndIwillgivemine,too:
ThanksbetoGodforsimpletasks,
Andhandswithwhichtodo.
ThanksbetoGodforlittlefeet.
Sohappyintheirplay;
Lord,givemepatience,love,andfaith
Toguidethemontheirway.
ThanksbetoGodforlittlelips
Thatcanbetaughttosing
Theold,oldsongs,thetendertunes
OfJesus,LordandKing.
ThanksbetoGod,whenfeetshallfail
Andfadingsightgrowdim,
ThatChristwilldowhatIcannot.
ThanksbetoGodforHim.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
AMother,ToHerChildren,OnMother'sDay
W HENYOUWEREYOUNG,YOUBROUGHTYOURBRIEFHEARTACHES
Tometomend,andputtheminmyhand.
Ieasedthesmall,hurtplaces,foryoursakes.
Youknewmeastheonewhounderstands
Andcares.AndIknewyouaspurestjoy,
Eachtinytearstainedface,eachcurlyhead
Bowingingriefabovesomebrokentoy.
YoucameforcomfortIwascomforted.
AndnowIbringmygreatheartachestoyou.
Youwrapmeinyourlove:remembering
Thelong,lostyears,asgrownupchildrendo,
Thelovelyyearsofchildhood'stenderspring:
AndI,again,amblestandliftedfar
Abovetheplacewhereanyheartachesare.
*AsseeninNewYorkTimesMagazine
AndPeter
Butgoyourway,tellhisdisciplesandPeterthathegoethbefore
youintoGalilee:thereshallyeseehim,ashesaiduntoyou.
Mark16:7
H OWLIKEOURLORDTOADD,ANDPETER"KNOWING
Thatonewouldwalktheworldincruelshame,
Foreverhauntedbyafarcockcrowing,
Andidleboast,andeyesthatheldnoblame
Butlookedwithbravecompassionatereminding
Intohisown.HowlikeourLord,toknow
ThatsomewherePeter,stumblingonthroughblinding
Andbittertears,wouldneedthatmessageso.
Thatsomewhere,Peter,allhisspiritbroken.
Pastpride,pastfear,pastallsavegrimregret,
Would ndintwosmallwordsatendertoken
Thatallhislifetimehewouldnotforget:
Thesweetassurancethathestillbelonged,
Inspiteofall,untotheLordhewronged.
*AsseeninKingsBusinessMagazine
AndreaPaula
A NDREAPAULA,SCULPTOR,CARVEDAHEART,
Carveditofdeaddreamsandablockofstone.
Grace,beauty,color,digni edhisart;
Itallbutlived.Heworshipeditalone.
Butoftatduskhenursedasecretgrief,
Kneelingbeforethethinghishandshadwrought:
Itwillnotlive,"hesobbed.Atlastbelief
Wascrystalizedintoonefrenziedthought:
AndreaPaulawhilethegrayworldslept,
Stolefromhisbreasttheheartthatwashisown,
Crushedittofragmentsandoncalmkneescrept
Outthroughthedarkandworkeditintostone.
Theyhavenot,criticssay,sincetimebegan
Foundartsohumannorsocoldaman.
*AsseeninContemporaryVerseMagazine
AnOldMan
H ISBACKISBENTWITHWEIGHTOFCARE.
Toomanyyearshavelain
Uponhisbrowandtracedtheir ight
Incrookedlinesofpain.
Hisfeeblefootstepsbeattheearth
Withfaultyresonance,
Thatalltoolonghavetraveleddown
Thewayofcircumstance.
Hishandsareshapeless,tremblingthings,
Thatoncewere rmandstrong,
Theyspeakofwearydaysoftoil
Anddutyservedtoolong.
Onlywithinhissunkeneyes
The reofyouthstillgleams
Hiseyesthatallhislifehavebeen
Themirrorofhisdreams.
AndItWasNight
Hethenhavingreceivedthesopwentimmediatelyout:anditwas
night.
John13:30
A NDITWASNIGHT.NOTCALM,FAMILIARNIGHT,
Withhillandstar,withdarknesscoolandkind;
Notthese,buttotalabstinenceoflight,
Likesuddenmidnightcaningontheblind:
Nodrowsysettlingofwearywings,
Nolightwindshyly ngeringtheair,
Butdarknessthatwasgross,likethatwhichclings
Todoomanddesolationanddespair.
Anditwasnight.AndJudaswentalone
Buthowalone,oratwhatcruelcost
HegavethekissthatmadetheSaviousknown.
Hedidnotdream.Until,toolate,toolost,
Hecasthisportiononthepotter'ssod
AndturnedforeverfromtheSonofGod.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
AndRedbudQuickens
A LLISFORGIVENNOWTHATDOGWOODBLOOMS
Andredbudquickensontheburnishedbough,
Andeveryhomeysucklehedgeperfumes
Thecountryside.Allisforgivennow,
Thecleancoolcurveoffurrowsfreshingturned,
Youngblackbirdsstruttingsleeklybytheplow.
Areharbingerswhosemeaningwehavelearned:
Springhascomebackallisforgivennow.
Andwhatofuswho,winterlong,havemoped
Besidethe reandletearth'sbleaknesssift
Intooursouls?Now,betterthanwehoped,
GodgivesagainHisreassuringgift:
AnotherSpring.Shallwenotdoourpart
Andthawthelong,longwinteroftheheart?
*AsseeninWorldOutlookMagazine
AnniversarySong
(T ODAD)
Doyourememberwhenourlove,
Thelittlehelplessdearone,
Wasstillsosmallthewholedelight
Wasjusttokeepitnearone?
Wheneverydaywasholiday,
Inanykindofweather,
Becausewenursedourlittlelove
Andtendedittogether?
Theyearshaveseenthatlovegrowup
Tosuchsupremedimensions
Ithardlyeverasksfornow
Thefondheart'ssmallattentions.
Itseldomseekstheboonofarms,
Thehandclaspsandcarresses,
Thissturdyloveweleanupon
Throughfailuresandsuccesses.
Wearesofortunatetohave
This retowarmDecember,
Thissafeandcertain ameoflove
ButsometimesI.remember:
Sometimes(Iknowit'sfoolish,dear)
Itseemsthistallnewstranger
Mightgrowbeyondus.Doyouthink
Therecouldbeanydanger?
AnotherMoment
A
NOTHERMOMENT,ANDTHEEARTHMAYLOOSE
Tenthousandfuriesbearingustodoom:
Asecond,even,andwithoutexcuse
Silenceofdeathmayfalluponthisroom
Foritiswrittenmenshallnotdiscern
The nalhourwhenthesethingsmustbe.
Anothermomentandsomuchtolearn,
Aworldofwonderstilltohearandsee!
Howfreshismountainlaurelinthespring!
Imaynotseeitnow,norhearagain
ThewildsweetnotetheHuitacocheessing,
Norsensetheearth'sgreenodorsafterrain
Butnothemomentpasses...andIstay!
Up!Up!IwilldrinkbeautywhileImay!
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
TheAntiClimax
A
STWOGROWNTIRED,WELAYASIDETHEVOLUME....
Butstayonemoment!letusmarktheplace
Tomorrowbringsagainthesuntoheaven,
Thedewtoearthbutnotyourface.
NomoretogethershallwereadLove'sstory;
Buthaplyintheyearsthataretobe,
Myidle ngers,turningthroughthepages,
Shallchanceonthisandlingerlovingly.
Rememberingaromancestillun nished,
Atalewhoseclimaxwecanneverknow
AndIshallsighandWouldit,"Ishallwonder,
Ifwehadturnedthepage,haveendedso?"
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
APrayerForLove
I
PRAYTHATLOVEWILLFINDMEONADAY
Nottoomuchfrettedbythecommontasks.
(Lord,thoudostsurelyknowawoman'sway
Oflikingtobeloved!)Myspiritasks
ThatforthisonceifLoveshouldbemylot
Imaygoforthtomeethimjoyously,
Asoneontermswithhappiness,andnot
Bowedbythedailycaresthatfallonme.
Butifthelighterwaybenevermine,
Thelittle,foolishfanciesoftheheart,
Lord,bythygracethisfollyIresign
Soonlythoushouldstgivemeformypart
ThoughtombytoiltheyouththatoncewasI
IfLoveshouldcomehewillnotpassmeby
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
AprilAssault
M ARCHINGOVERRAINDRENCHEDMEADOWS,
Rankonranktheyswarm:
Littlelegions, owerforces,
Taketheworldbystorm.
Firstconfusetheeyewithcolor,
Thenwithfragrancefret
Allthecautious,alltheprudent,
Allthehardtoget.
Fiercelymovethebrightbattalions
UnderAprilskies:
Stabwithstamens,peltwithpetals,
Devastatedisguise.
Losttheheart,thoughwellitmaybe
Warytoafault
Nonecanstandbeforesuchbrilliant
Beautifulassault!
*AsseeninGoodHousekeepingMagazine
ArgonneForest
A LLNIGHTTHERAIN,INBLINDINGSHEETS.
Alongthewarscarredlandscapebeats;
Treesrock,andheavybanksofsnow
Plungeheadlongintopoolsbelow;
Andmournfully,fromdarktolight,
Thewindsgohowlingthroughthenight.
InArgonneForestDeadMenwalk
Allsilently:Theydonottalk
Ofotherdayswhen,sidebyside,
Theyfoughtthenoble ghtanddied,
Butwithunseeingeyestheystare
Intotheemptynight.Theybeau
Noarmstowieldagainstthefoe,
Butstillinsolemnrankstheygo,
Thesetatteredheroes,onandon
ThroughgloomyswampsofoldArgonne.
InArgonneForest,whenthespring
Shallsmileagain,andbirdsshallsing,
AnddeepwithinthatForest'sgloom
Lightwindsshallwaftafaintperfume
Fromhidden owers,whenoverall
Thedrearylandscapelightshallfall
Andsunshinepenetratedthedeep
DarkgloomswhereDeadliencannotsleep,
Theeyeshalllookinvainforthan:
Thosetatteredhungryformsofmen
Willlurknomore,Theywillbegone
Willlurknomore,Theywillbegone
WhenSpringshallcometooldArgonne.
Only,besidetheriverthere,
Thetreesshallwearaloftierair.
AsthoughthoseSoulsofwanderingmen
Hadsomehowenteredintothem:
Foreachshallwhisperuntoeach
TheLovingTruthsthatDeadMenteach.
Andwhenthesolitarynight
Shallbroodo'erArgonne,lo!thelight
Frommanymillionstarsshallkeep
AsilentwatchwhereDeadMensleep.
ASongForAnyFather
S
TRONGMENSURVIVEINSTEEL;THESENSITIVE
Persistinsongandsermon.Inhisway
Eachstrugglesbyaccomplishmenttolive
Beyondthemarginofearth'slittleday.
Butsimplemenhavelearnedadeepertruth:
Theychoosetobuildin eshandbloodandbone,
Andrecklesslyandproudlysquanderyouth
Togiveittothesonstheycalltheirown.
Menchoosetheirmonuments.Whobuildsaboy
Buildsstrengthandbeautyweldedintoone:
Adventure,humor,everlastingjoy,
Anddreamstoholdbeyondlife'ssettingsun.
Whobuildsabridgemayserveposterity;
Whobuildsaboyoutwitseternity.
ASpanishSerenade
S OFTESTZEPHYRSFANMYCHEEK,
AsIwanderthroughthymoonlitgarden;
Faintlyonthebreezeshome
Comesthesoundofsweetguitarandcastanets;
HereIlingerinthyhour,
WhereI'vecomeatdusktoserenadethee;
LoveIwaittogreetthee,
FortheeIlove,andthouartmine,Sweetheart!
Chorus:
Comewherethewild owers
Swayinthemoonlight,
Whisperingoflove.
Ahtheyspeakofthee,
Bidtheecometome;
Nightisforlove,dear,
Loveismylife,dear,
Ahbidmelive!
Waken,sweet,
Thylovergreet,
Ordawnshallbreakabove
Abrokenheart.
Allthevoicesofthenight
Calltowaketheefromthypeacefulslumber;
Nightingalebreathesforthhissong,
Nightingalebreathesforthhissong,
Wildest oodoflongingloveandmelody!
Alltheairthrobswithlove'scry,
AndIcannot,cannotbeartoleavethee;
Love,myheartisbreaking,
Ohthoumusthearandthouwiltcome,Sweetheart!
ASongForToday
G
IVEOVERDREAMING!ALLTOOSOONTHEDAY
Thatevennowillumestheeasternsky
Withblushofmorn,willtakethetwilightway
Andfadeindusk.Up,Heart!forbearthesigh
Thattremblesforadreamthatmaynotbe:
Beholdthepromisethatthisdaybestows,
Withcouragefacethemorn;tonightmaysee
Afaithrenewed,ahoperebornwhoknows?
Giveoverdreaming!Whathasneverbeen
Mayyetbearfruit,butwhatcanneverbe
'Twerebettertoforget.Thishourmaymean
ThegatewaythatunlocksEternity.
Olddoubts,oldgriefs,oldburdens,castaway
Awake!ohHeart,arise!ful llToday!
*AsseeninTellingTalesMagazine
ASongOfMopSticks
S
INGASONGOFMOPSTICKS
Andoflife,theirbrother:
Youthisattheoneend,
Ageisattheother.
Youthislikethemoprag:
Runninghither,yonder,
Ageislikethehandle:
Takingtimetoponder.
Youthisboundto xthings,
Busywithitscleaning;
Agehasfoundanoldwall
Gladtostandthereleaning.
ASon,ToHisFather,OnFather'sDay
T HISISYOURDAY,MYFATHER,ANDTHEWORLD
Willpausetodoyouhonorforaspace.
LastnightIwatchedyou,andmyslowthoughtscurled
Aboutthegrowinglinesuponyourface.
Mythoughtswerenotofbaseball,norbrownarms
Ofswimmers,cleavingwaterinthesun;
Mythoughtswerelifeitsburdens,itsalarms,
And,overall,thecourageyouhadwen.
Thisisyourday,myfather.Wearemen.
Youwillnotwantthe owersMotherwould;
Butletmetellyou,justbetweenus:When
Aboy'sdreamsfail,rememberingyouisgood,
Rememberingyouislikeasudden,strong.
Cleangustofwindtobearmyyouthalong.
*AsseeninWarCryMagazine
AsTheRainComethDown
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and
returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring
forthandbud,thatitmaygiveseedtothesower,andbreadtothe
eater:Soshallmywordbethatgoethforthoutofmymouth:itshall
notreturnuntomevoid,butitshallaccomplishthatwhichIplease,
anditshallprosperinthethingwheretoIsentit.
Isaiah55:1011
S OFTLYTHERAINISFALLINGINTHENIGHT,
Overthehillsandvalleys,premising
GodwillreclotheHisworldinrobesofbright
Andlivingverdure:soontherewillbeSpring.
Alongthebarrenboughnewlifewillcreep
Andquickenineachtenderbladeandshoot:
Theearthwillwakenfromherlong,longsleep,
Therewillbebudandblossom,leafandfruit.
IntomyheartHisgentlepromisefalls
Likefallingrain.Allisnotyetdestroyed:
Thoughstrifeandsorrowrule,andsinappals,
God'sWordshallnotreturnuntoHimvoid
ItshallaccomplishallHispurposeplanned.
Uponthisblessedhopetheheartcanstand.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
AStudentPrayer
M YFATHERISANARCHITECTINSTONE:
Hisgranitepinnaclesprojectinghigh
Intoafarplace,secretandalone,
Standsentinelagainstthequietsky.
Theirbeautyisadeepandstilldelight,
Theirsolidstrengthachallengetothesoul
Callingmyspirittosomelonelyheight,
Liftingmylifetowardsomesplendidgoal.
Beholdingthese,Iamremembering
AnotherStone,rejectedonceofmen:
Whenearth'sfoundationstotter,letmecling
ToJesusChrist,theRockofAges;when
Ibuildmyyounglife,tallandstraightandslim,
OhletitbeastructurebuiltonHim.
*AsseeninTahquitzPinesMagazine
AtHomeWithGod
A THOMEWITHGOD....NOW,INTHATBLESTABODE,
Sherests,herearthlyburdensalllaiddown.
Howwasitwhenshetookthelastlongroad
Thatledfromearthtogloryandhercrown?
Icannotthinkshesaidgoodbyeandturned
Towalkdowndarkandunfrequentedways.
Thiswasfamiliargroundtoone,wholearned
TobeathomewithHimthroughallherdays.
AtTheCross
Andsittingdowntheywatchedhimthere.
Mathew27:36
A
NDSITTINGDOWNTHEYWATCHEDHIMTHERE,THEONE
Whostilledthetempest,multipliedthebread,
Walkedonthewaterand,fromsuntosun.
Laidhandsuponthesick,andraisedthedead.
TheysawHimdyingonthecrossofshame.
Somewatchedwithpity,somewithscorn;andsome,
AfaithfulfewwhohadbelievedHecame
ToreignasKing,withgriefwerestrickendumb.
TheywatchedHimthere.Butoh,theydidnotknow
Howmany,throughtheyears,wouldwatchHim,too.
Andneverbethesameagain,butgo
FromthatdarkHill,regenerated,new:
Nolongervictimsofsin'sdeepdespair,
ButbornagainbecausetheywatchedHimthere.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
AWomanToHerLover
O
FTHOSEDIMOTHERSWHCMMYHEARTREVERED
Benotafraid,Beloved,norletlive
Onejealousthought;theirspiritsareendeared
Onlyasdreamstome.Lovedoesnotgive
Itselfsomuchtopersons,astoall
Theshysweetwonderofaworldthatmoves
Throughmagicdays.Theintimate,thesmall,
Andmostlyloveitself,theloverloves.
Andlesstomenthantothewindandtrees,
Thesilentstars,Imademyearlyvows.
Youdrinkmysoulwitheverybreathofthese.
Whilethosepaleshadesbeforewhctnmemorybows,
Forgottenaretheirnames,theirfacesgone;
Onlythelovetheywake,inyouliveson.
*AsseeninSunMagazineMagazine
ATrystWithHills
I HAVEATRYSTTOKEEPWHENSPRINGRETURNS,
Atrystwithhills,greengarbedandwondering
Throughallthesewinterdayswithinmeburns
Thefeverofthesongmylipsshallsing
Whenfreeatlast,tokeepmytrystIgo
Outofthecitysgateuntothehills.
Greenhillsawakingfromadreamofsnow
Tolongdaydreamsofwindandda odils.
Whileyetremembranceofdepartedrain
Lurksinafewlosttearsonbladeandleaf
Iwillariseandseekthemonceagain.
Flingfrommyshouldersdaysofwintergrief
Stooptotheearthandkissthemeveryone
HillsIhavelovedthroughlong,longdaysofsun.
Attitudes
T
HEDAYSAREMIRRORSTHATREFLECTOURSELVES,
Andwhoshallsayiflifebethisorthat?
Regardlessoftheproofforwhichmandelves,
Theworld,intruth,isneitherroundnor at,
Butmanysided,myriadandstrange,
Aslimitlessinscopeasalldesire,
Allduty,allresolve,alldreamsthatchange
Theboundariesofearthtosomethinghigher.
Untothebeetheworldisallperfume.
Blownskywardfromtherose.Untothemole,
Darkness,thefriendlyfeelofearth,androom
Tostretchthe esh.Andeachhasprovedthewhole
Forlifeisnotapatterncutto t
Wemakeitbythewaywelookatit.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
AutumnTwilight
H
EREINTHEAUTUMNTWILIGHTBEAUTYLIES
Uponthehills,asmotionlessassleep.
Therewillbestirringwheretheshadowscreep
Downinthemarshgrass,astheheron ies,
Andmotionhigher,inthedreamingskies,
Whenhcmingwingsreachupandclimbthesteep
Ascentofheaven;butthehillswillkeep
Beauty,sostill,onewondersifitdies.
Thereisnonameforbeautythatcanbe
Athingsoquietasthatfar,faintline
Ofpurplesilence,guardedbyatree
Sostraight,sostill,itscarcelyseemsapine.
Hereintheshadowedduskonecanbutsee,
Andreachforwonderwordswillnotcon ne.
*AsseeninLyricMagazine
Aviator
O UTOFTHEDUSTIRISEANDGOTOBE
Apartofheaven'sarchedimmensity:
NowIamonewithallthebirdsthattry
Thevastunchartedregionsofthesky.
Iclimbtheair,belowmeliesunfurled
Thegoldandazurebeautyofaworld
Ofsandandsea,ofmountainsreachingtoo
Forsomethingthatawaitsthemintheblue.
ThesearethethingsthatHehasmade.Butnow
Ileavethanfarbeneathandgotoplow
Themeadowsofthesky,witheveryclod
A eecycloudbankfromthehandofGod.
Achildofspace,earthba esmenomore.
Andlife'sperplexitiesresolve.Isoar
Withhoperestoredagain,andfaithrenewed:
AlonewithGod,mysoulgainsaltitude.
ThoughwellIknowthisplaceofsunandstar
IsnotmyhomeIdwellwherepeopleare
Throughallearth'sdustydaysmyspiritsings:
Ifeelthepullofsky,theliftofwings!
AVillageChurchyard
T HESILENCEOFUNUTTEREDDREAMSHASTURNED
Thisvillagechurchyardtoathingmorestill
Thanstarlightsleepingonawinterhill;
For edisnowthewildromancethatburned
Inyouthfulhearts;andagedones,thatyearned
Forgreaterwisdom,cannomoreful ll
Theirowndesires.Atrestfromgoodorill.
Theysleepinsilenttrenches,unconcerned.
Yethereisquietbornnotallofpain,
Forbuddinggrassesspeakofhopenotdead,
Andmingledwithgreenbladesthepoppie'sred
Givespromiseofdesirethatbloomsagain;
Asthoughthedreamslifewouldnotletthankeep,
Thedeadhadfoundmorebeautifulinsleep.
(ToDaleDowning)
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
AWildRose
I
CAMEUPONAFAIRY
Inhersylvangladeboudoir
(Shewasathermorningtoilet
Andforgottoshutthedoor!)
Isawhertrailingbathrobe
Madeofshinmeringfoldsofgreen
Alltrimmedinsilverdewdrops,
Likeajewelledfairyqueen.
AndIknowshewasaPrincess,
ForIsawhergoldcrowngleam
Asshebentherpinkfacedownward
Towashitinthestream.
(I'dliketo ndhernameout,
Ifanybodyknows
Iwentbackoncetoaskher,
Butonlyfoundarose!)
BalladForAnySummer
H
EWASASAILOR'SSON,
Borewiththetugofwater
Pullinghardathissleeve
Shewasahillman'sdaughter.
Shewasawoodlandfern,
Pluckedfromthequietplaces.
Hewasaliftedsail,
Stretchedforthewindyspaces.
Hefoundhershynesssweet,
Smiledathernaivegreeting;
Somethingbiginhisheart
Hastenedherownheart'sbeating.
UndertheAugustmoon
Faiththathethoughtenduring
Brokewiththeseaandsail,
Findinghermorealluring.
Once,whenthesilencespread
Closeasacloakaroundthan,
Lovewasatidethatswept
Infromtheseaanddrownedthem.
Thereinthemoonlight,he
Promisednevertofailher:
Hewasalovernow,
Morethanhewasasailor.
Ah,buthehadnowit,
Notontheseatoreckon:
Scarcehadthesummerwaned
Whenitbegantobeckon.
Hewasasailor'sson:
Allthataseamanmisses,
Inland,pulledathisheart,
Smotheringheryoungkisses.
Oftenherblueeyesbrim:
Grievingtohaveberefther,
Oftenhewakesatdawn.
Nevertheless,helefther.
Weepforthesea'sbrightcall,
Weepforherheartsundoing:
Shewasahillman'schild,
Bornforahillman'swooing.
Shewasamountainmaid,
Borntobewifeandmother,
Butforaseaman'slove,
Nowshewillwedanother.
Now,asshetucksinseeds,
Outinhergardenkneeling,
Eyesthatarebrightwithdreams
Followalonegull'swheeling.
Followafarskytrail.
Blueasthesea,fortoken.....
Neverasailturnshome,
Hometoaheartthatsbroken.
Weepforasumner'sschemes.
Weepfortheheartsthat ndthem,
Follow,andthengoback
Leavingadreambehindthan.
BalladForBettsey
O
URBETTSEYHASAWAYWITHTOTS
Awaywithallofus
Andwhocouldblameacertainlad
Forgettingamorous?
SoBettsey'sgoingtotakethestep,
Andshewillneverrueit,
Ifshecanjustrememberthis:
LetGeorgedoit!"
Withdishes,orwithdiapers.
Itmakesnodi erence,
Thissimplesloganoffourwords
Isjustplainsense.
ForBettsey.wearingdishpanhands!
(BasethoughtIdoeschewit)
Abetterplanbyfarwouldbe
ToletGeorgedoit'."'
ForBettseyisaglamorgal
Andpedigogueinone
Alaughingsprite,atinygrim
Authoritarian;
And,havingsuchabrightcareer,
Wehopeshewillpursueit....
So,inthesimpletasksoflife
JustletGeorgedoit."
Goodwishes,Bettsey,asyougo;
Godspeedyouonyourway,
Andgiveyouhappyyearsahead
Ahappyweddingday.
We'dreallyliketokissthebride."
Isshejustonlyknewit,
But,sincethismightembarrassher,
We'llletGeorgedoit."
BannerOfLove
H ISBANNEROVERMEWASLOVE,WASLOVE!
Saynotthewaywaslong,nor ercethestrife
ForHewasthere,andeverymomentof
Theearthlycon ictwasabundantlife.
Speaknotofhopesdeferred,ofdreamslaiddown
ThroughalloftheseHispresencehassu ced.
Thiswasmyjoyousprivilege,mycrown:
Ineveryfurnace,tohavewalkedwithChrist.
Hisbannerovermewaslove.Letthis
Andonlythis,bewrittenwhereIlie,
Whenalllife'stoilandtearsIshalldismiss;
Raiseovermethissinglebattlecry
Writeitinwordsof ameforalltoread.
WhoknowstheSaviourhasnootherneed.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
Beauty
B
EAUTYONASUNNYSLOPE
Beautyinatree
Springismakingbeautynow
Whatiswrongwithme?
Laughterinarobinssong
Laughterinthedew
Springismixinglaughternow
Whatiswrongwithyou?
CouldInotbetakingup
BeautyoftheSpring
Shapingitandweavingit
InthesongsIsing.
Couldyounotbewearingnow
LaugherSpringtimemakes
Wearingitandsharingit
Withaheartthatbreaks.
BeautyCatchesSinging
M
YSOULISDEADTOBEAUTY!"THUSICRIED,
Whoseeyeswithagelongweepinghad
growndull,
OhgivemebackmyvisionstabmeGod
Withsuddenbeauty,swiftandterrible!"
Thenstraightfromheaven'sgateonearrowsped,
Onearrowdownwardtotheheartofme
GodloosedabirdandBeautyfoundavoice,
Andblindedbyasong,Isee!Isee!
*AsseeninTheLyricMagazine
BecauseChristCame
1. THEREISLIGHTONTHEMOUNTAINSBECAUSEOFGOD'SGRACE,
Andglorythatshinesfrcmabove:
Allnatureiswearingaradiantface,
BecauseoftheGiftofGod'slove.
CHORUS:
BecauseHecame,lifehasafreshbeginning.
BecausetheSaviorcameallthingsarenew;
BecauseHediedtomakeanendofsinning,
Thetrustingheartcanhaveitsspringtimetoo.
BecauseHerose,allearthrepeatsthestory,
Allnaturewakestojointhegladrefrain;
Sing,nowmysoultoChristbepraiseandglory,
BecauseHelives,becauseHelivesagain!
2.Thereispeaceinthevalley,thoughshadowsmayfall,
Whenalloflife'sjourneyisrun;
ThereispeaceintheValleyofDeath,nowforall
WhotrustinthegiftofGod'sSon.
3.Thereispeaceinthevalleyandlightonthehills,
Andlifeinthequickeningsod,
Withgracethataboundsandarapturethatthrills
BecauseoftheGiftofourGod.
BecauseHeRose
T HEYSTUMBLEDTHROUGHTHEDARKTHATEASTERMORNING
Andspokeinlow,hushedvoicesoftheDead.
Theybroughttheirlove,theirspicesforadorning,
Butwalkedwithbrokenhearts,uncomforted.
Theydidnotknowthat,evenwhiletheyworried
Aboutthestone,thetombhadbeende ed:
How,withonesimplegesture,calm,unhurried,
TheLordtheylovedhadlaidalldeathaside.
Theydidnotknow;buteveryheartthatsorrows
Canknow,today,thepeacethesewordsdisclose
Heisnothere."Andallearth'sdarktomorrows
WillneverbethesamebecauseHerose.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
BecauseOfCalvary
G
IVEMEANUNCOMPLAININGHEART
Thatisattermswithlife,
Acceptinggraciouslyalike
Serenity,orstrife.
Givemeanunderstandingheart
Thatisattermswithmen,
Anover owinglovethatgives.
Notaskingwhy,"orwhen."
Givemeaconsecratedheart
ThatisattermswithThee,
SecurelyrestinginThygrace
BecauseofCalvary.
1.WetouchthefringeofGod'smagni cence
WhenwebeholdHisearthandskyandsea;
Butnoneofthisispeaceorpermanence,
UntilweglimpseourGodatCalvary.
CHORUS:
Whatpeaceitbrings,whatjoyandecstacy.
ToknowChristdiedtosetthesinnerfree!
ItbindsthehearttoHimeternally:
ForeverHisbecauseofCalvary.
2.God'smagnitudetheheartcannotexpress,
UntilitseeshowmuchHesacri ced.
ForGod,whohungtheworldonnothingness,
RevealsHimself,alone,inJesusChrist.
RevealsHimself,alone,inJesusChrist.
3.WhyshouldwegraspatGod'sin nitude,
Whyshouldwereachforstarryrealmsofspace,
Whenalloftimeisbutaninterlude
OnwhichtoposethegloryofHisgrace?
BeforeTheEasterDawn
W HATWHISPERSTIRSAMONGTHEOLIVETREES.
WherelatetheSaviourprayed?Whatgesture
lifts
Thelittleleaves,asthoughsomesecretbreeze
Were ngeringthebranches?Throughtherifts
Indarkness,whatisthisthatslowlyseeps
Likemellowsunlightthroughthegardengloom?
Thereisnowind,nosun,asyet.Earthsleeps.
Thisisthemiraclewithinthetomb!
Nopassingbreeze,notransitorybreath
Ofair,couldmovethesetreesinsuchaway.
ThisisthebreathofLife,comebackfrcmdeath.
Andthisnewradianceisnottheday:
ItistheLightofalltheworld,restored
ForevermoreinChrist,therisenLord.
*AsseeninKingsBusinessMagazine
BehindTheRain
W HATWALKSBEHINDTHECURTAINOFTHERAIN?
Stirssomethingtherethatisafraidtospeak,
Afraid,orelsesomedim,forgottenpain
Hashushedthegropingword,butthroughthebleak
Uncertainsilences,distinctandnear,
Afootstephoversnay,ahand,
Reachingforsomethingintimateanddear,
Somethingrememberedinalonglostland.
Whattimethewindmakesutteranceinleaves,
Whattimecooldropsfeelearthward,toandfro
Somethingbehindthestillrainmovesandgrieves,
Frettingtheduskwithsoundsthatwillnotgo
Thewayofwords,butfalterpauseandbreak,
Woundingthemselvesuponanoldheartache.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
Behold,TheDawn!
H
ILLSTHATHAVEBORNETHEBURDENOFTHENIGHT,
Lifttothesuddendawnbewilderedeyes
Forkindledheartthe restorturingtheskies
Withfearof ame,withsomethinglessthanlight
Andmorethanbeauty,arebutcolda right
Tohillsonwhomrememberedmidnightlies.
Howslowlyineachwakingbosomdies
Thedreamitkeepsofstars,sereneandwhite!
Butitwilldie,whenoutofspaceisborn
ThegreatOneFlame.Andnowthatwakes,thatwakes!
Andstarsarelessthanwhispersblownabout;
Thepeaceofmidnightisathingoutworn;
Andfromthehillsamightytriumphbreaks,
GreetingtheSunwithmanythroatedshout!
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
BeholdTheLambOfGod
I LOOKED,ANDLO!ALAMB.THROUGHOUTTHEAGES,
Theendlesseonsofeternity,
Thefairestpicturefoundonheaven'spages
WillbetheonethatspeaksofCalvary.
Thesweetestanthem,evenintheGlory,
Willnotbesomeexaltednewrefrain,
Butjusttheoldfamiliargospelstory:
HowworthyistheLambforsinnersslain!"
BeholdtheLambofGod,Olostandlonely,
BeholdHimhereandnow,ifyouwouldshare
Hispresenceintheotherworld.Foronly
TheoneswholoveHimherewillseeHimthere.
BelovedItIsNight
B ELOVEDITISNIGHT.LIFTNOTTHYFACE
Passthroughthegardenwithamutedvoice;
Thisisthehourofdreaming.Thistheplace
WhereoutoftimetheOneDreamofourchoice
Maysuddenlybeborn.Butspeaknoword
Letfallonewhispereven,andtherose
Thatsleepsbyyondercasement,wouldbestirred
Todreamofthingsnotany owerknows.
Liftnotthyface.Beloved.Itisnight
Duskandasilenceinthegardenblend.
Butinthyfaceiswonderbornoflight,
Andinmyheartasongthatknowsnoend.
Alight,asong....Beloved,turnaway
Lestallthegardenwakeandcallitday!
*AsseeninNewYorkHeraldMagazine
Benediction
W
HENSLEEPYBIRDSWAKEUPTOGREETTHEDAWN
Withsongsofpraise,andlikeasilverscroll
Themorningskyunfoldstowaitupon
Thecomingofthesun,thenliftsmysoul
Itscanticleoflove,OChrist,toThee
Creatorofthewhole.Mygladheartpours
Itsgratitudein oodsofecstacy
And,likeabird,myspiritsingsandsoars.
Butcomesthedusk,thetimeforsheltering,
Whendroopingpinionsfoldondrowsybirds,
Myheartseeksoutitssheltertoo.Ising
Nomore:Thouarttoonearforneedofwords;
Thyquiethandisonmyhearttobless,
AndIamwrappedinThygreatgentleness.
*AsseeninWarCryMagazine
BenjaminFranklin
I
VISITORFROMYESTERDAY
Whoeverreadsmay ndhimselfahost
Tomorethanwords:aquaint,invisable,
Disturbingpresence,movinglikeaghost
Fromyesterday.Astrangelylovable,
Engagingghost,whocannotquiteforget:
PoorRichard"leansfromoutthepasttopeer
Athowthelineisspaced,thetypeisset.
Healmostseemstosay,Whathavewehere?"
IIHeDreamedAStove
Perhapsfromoutthegleamingcoalsitcame,
Whenbackswerefreezingandeachfacegrewhot,
Theswiftidea:whynotcapture ame
Andlockitinabox?Whynot,whynot?
Itmighthavebeenlikethis.Nobodyknows
Justwherethethoughtisbornthatmakesthedeed.
Norreallycares,justsoitgrowsandgrows
Andreachesoutto llaheartfeltneed.
Hedreamedastove.Butoh,hedreamedmuchmore:
Thesmellofhomemadebreadandpoppingcom,
Theoldmengatheredatthecountrystore;
Andchildren,huddledonsomeicymom,
Withhandsoutstretched.Allcherished,allesteaned.
Allsimple,warmandfriendlythingshedreamed.
Allsimple,warmandfriendlythingshedreamed.
IIIManWithAKite
Washeaboyuponawindyhill,
Hiskitestringinhishand,when rstheknew
Thewildapplauseofthunderandthethrill
Oflightning ashingonthestartledview?
Washeaboy,when rsthefeltthepull
Ofsomethingstronger,strongerthanthewind:
Ayoungidea,brightandbeautiful,
Thatcouldbemore,ifharnessed,disciplined?
Anddidherunalongthehillswithit
Andtossit,withhiskite,intothesky;
Thendrawittohimselfandtryto t
Thethoughtintotheschemehemeanttotry?
Howmanyyears,howmanykitestook ight,
Beforeheknewheheldthekeytolight!
IVFire!Fire!
Nomatterwherehewent,orwhathesaw,
Hehadasparkthatkindledinto ame.
The reoflearningandthe reoflaw
Wereboth,alike,ignitedinhisname.
Thisisatruthphilosophersconfess,
Thesearethethingsthatstatesmentalkabout.
Butanydozingschoolboycaresmuchless
For ressostarted,thanforthoseputout.
Heplannedprotection.Hecouldnotforesee
Theracingengines,screamingsirens,all
Thefrenziedfurorthatwouldonedaybe
Earth'shighadventureforeacheager,small,
Upliftedfaceunmindfulofschoolbooks
Lostinaworldofladders,hoseandhooks.
VHometown(Philadelphia,U.S.A.)
Theyouthwhowalkedtheshabbystreetsofhome,
Contestingfortheirshabbiness,couldtell
Whattoilandtearsittakesbeforemencome
Withcon dencetohangthefreedombell:
Thelong,longlookalongtheyears,thatmust
Precedethewrittenword,thelawlaiddown.
Forhe,whoholdsthefutureinhistrust,
Mustwalkbeyondthestreetsofanytown.
Mostmen nddailylivingdullandslow:
Theseonlyreachtheultimatebystrife.
Butsomemengarnergreatnessastheygo
Abouttheordinarytasksoflife,
Seeinginsimplethingswhatfewcansee
Andtheselivelargerthanlocality.
VIHereWasAmerica
Herewasnomanbutallmenputinone:
Creativethough,inventiveskill,andzeal
Forperseveranceatataskbegun.
Herewasthehighwhitehopethatallmenfeel,
Butfewattainto.Herewasreachingup.
Andgettingunder,probingdeep;thefar,
Raaote,idealextended.Herethecup
Raaote,idealextended.Herethecup
Oflivingheldonebright,imprisonedstar.
HerewasAmerica:thescathingmore
Thanland,orlanguage,somethingyettobe,
Notfoundin eldorforest,hillorshore:
Thegreatenduringpassiontobefree.
Notjustindocumentsuponashelf,
Butfreedomwritteninthemanhimself.
Beloved,ShareYourPleasureWithTheWind
G OTELLYOURJOYTOLISTENINGFIELDANDSTAR,
Beloved,shareyourpleasurewiththewind;
Runinthelightand ingyourlaughterfar,
Inleapingwaveanddancingsunlight nd
Renewalofyourmood,butcomenothere.
Youwillnotneedmytouch,myspokenwords
Toaddonelittlemeasuretoyourcheer.
Beloved,giveyoursingingtothebirds.
Butwhenyourhearttooquietgrowswithpain,
Slipthroughtheduskandcomeagaintome;
Sobbingyourgrieflikesoftinsistentrain,
Yieldingyourbrokenfaithtosympathy;
Andinmywonan'speace ndgracetobear
Theonlymoment'sthatourlovecanshare.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
BethanySupper
L ORD,IHAVESWEPTMYHOUSEANDTAKENOUT
Finelinen,silver,alltohonorThee;
Andnowattwilight,withthesespreadabout,
Myheartremindsmewithstrangeirony,
Withmutemisgivingsandwithvagueunrest:
Ihavenogifttogive,nofeasttospread.
AteverytablewhereThouwerttheguest,
IteverwasThyselfwhobrokethebread.
Lord,IhavebeenaMarthaalltheday,
AndnowasdarknessfallsIamaware
ThatquietMarychosethebetterway.
ThouHeavenlyGuest,thesehandswouldfainprepare
Thywelcome,buthavenaughttoo erThee
Havepity,breakthebreadoflifetome.
BlackHoundsOfHades
O UTOFTHEDARKNESSTHEBLACKHOUNDSAREGALLOPING:
Freshfromeachforay,withbloodyjawsslavering,
Widlytheyskirttheworld,hungryformore;
Fewarethedreamswillbeleftonthemorrowby
BlackhoundsofHades,thedarkdogsofwar.
Heissostalwart.....Hisbrightfaceiscloudednow.
Young eshistenderandyoung eshissweet.
Doesheliewakeful,toowideeyedandlistening
Overandovertogallopingfeet?
TheBlind
T HEBLINDMAN,ONTHECOMEREVERYDAY,
Standsstretchingforthhishandbutnotfor
alms
HehastheTruthofGodtogiveaway
Afreshsupplyoftracts.Histroublingpalms
Canhardlyholdtheirtreasure;andhislips
Cannotcontrolthecurrentofhissong;
Hehumstheoldhymnssoftlyasheslips
Alea ethereandthereamongthethrong.
Heknowsthatmostwillpassandscarcelyglance.
Butstill,inrainorsunshine,hemusttry
Togivethegospel,thoughmenlookaskance.
Ifhewerepeddlingpencilstheymightbuy,
Inpityforlostsight;formostarekind.
Theydonotknowheseesandtheyareblind.
Blindness
F
ORSIGHTLESSEYESNOPITYDOICRAVE,
WholonghavebowedsubmissivetoFate'swill.
Lifemakeshergifts,andoncetomeshegave
TolookonBeauty.DeepIdrank,until
Withveryseeingdidmyeyesgrowblind.
(Thereisajoytoogreatforhumansight!)
Minebethecurse.Alone,Iamconsigned
Throughendlessdaystowalk,inutternight.
Andyet,forveryblindnessdoIsee
Morefaithfullyandsure,wholightdeadeyes
Withtapersfromtheshrineofmemory.
Forstill,proudseas,gauntpeaksandtawnyskies,
Grayclouds,andtrees,holdconversedowntheyears,
Rememberedandundimnedbylattertears.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
Books
A
SONEWHOSTANDSUPONTHEBRINKOFTIME
Andseestheplanetscircleintoview,
SoIregardmyworldofbooks.Thenew
Areundiscoveredrealmsofproseandrhyme,
Whoknowswhatdepthsofthought,whatheightssublime
Ofloftytruth,theseshallinvitemeto?
Butohtheold,my rstlovestriedandtrue!
Thesearemylandofhome,mynativeclime.
Apeaceful eldIhaveinEmerson;
Scottisapeak,andKeatsaquietbay;
Browningthemightysea,andTennyson
Ahappyriversingingonitsway.
ButShakespeare,earliestloveandmostadored
Acontinentforeverunexplored.
*AsseeninAmericanPoetryMagazineMagazine
Bridegroom'sIf
I FYOUCANKEEPYOURHEADWHENALLABOUTYOU
She'slosinghers,andblamingitonyou;
Ifyoucansay,Icannotlivewithoutyou",
E'enwhenthedishes y(andknowit'strue);
Ifyoucan ndthebathroomallaclutter
Withsilkengarmentshanginguptodry,
Andneitherrage,norsnort,norstomp,norsputter,
Butwhistleblithelyonnorbataneye!
Ifyoucantasteeachstrange,uncertainmixture
Shesetsbeforeyouclaimingtobefood,
Andkeepyourgrinabrightandsteady xture
Whileeatingitandevencallitgood;
Ifyoucanwait,andnotgrowtiredinwaiting,
Whilesheadornsherselfforothereyes;
Andwhenshepratesofselfdon'tdealinprating
Andyetdon'tacttoogoodorlooktoowise;
Ifyoucanworkforherandkeepongrinning,
Thoughallnightlongwithwearinessyoutoss;
Andriseandstartagainatthebeginning,
Andneverbreatheawordaboutyourcross;
Ifyoucan lleachdrabdomesticminute
Withsixtysecondsworthoftenderness;
Thentaketheplunge,myboygoon,beginit
Yourmarriagewillturnoutahughsuccess!
BriefBeauty
D ECEMBERTWILIGHTWANES.THISDAPPLEDDUSK
Livesbutamoment.Standbesidethegate.
Bututternothing.Anythingsobrusque
Asspeechwouldshatterthisbriefbeauty.Wait.
Waitwhilethenewmoonclimbsabovethehill,
Onestitchofsilverthreadingthroughthesky.
Waitwordlessly,Beloved,waituntil
Thedarknesscomestocoverus.Thencry.
Cryfortheshorteneddays,thefadingyear,
Thestrickenbranchesbarrennowofleaf:
Thatlovelinessislost,andwearehere;
Andbeautyisathingsobrief,sobrief!
BriefCourage
I SAWAMAPLEFLAUNTTHECRIMSONFLAME
Ofoneleafontheair
Agallantgesturetodisguisetheshame
Ofbranchesstrickenbare.
Iliftedlaughteruptoswayandtoss
Wherejoynomoreoccurs,
Andwhispered,Heart,soshallwemakeourloss
Magni centashers."
BrightAssault
W ITHCIRCLINGSCIMITAROFLIGHT,
Dawncreepsfromouttheambushofthesky,
Cleavesdownwardtotheearthandstartlednight
Slinksintoshadowwithastrickencry
Thatmountsinbluemistfromthesleepyhills,
Thatcurvesinhazydriftsofgrayandtawn.
Thatliftsand oatsabovethetrees,and lls
Eachhollowwiththegreatsob,Iamgone."
Wherewillthewonderingandsecretthings,
Thathuggedthedark,takerefugefromtheday?
Bereftofthecoolcovertofherwings,
Wherewillnight'schildrenrunandhide?Ostay
Thisbrightassault,thisbatteryoflight!
Sparelittlefrightenedeyesthathuntthenight!
BroadwayChristinas
A
BOVETHETRAFFIC,SUDDENLYTHERESWELLS
Anangelchorusandtheeyesgrowwet.
Whileeveryshopwithtawdrytinseltells
TheOld,OldStorymencannotforget.
WhatthoughtheydiedalongJudeanhills,
Thoseangelvoiceslongagotonight
Abovethetragedyofhumanills
ComesbacktheancientanthembornofLight.
Because,alongthisstreet,eachhungryheart
CriesoutforPeace,goodwill",thesacredthrong
Traversescenturiesagaintostart
Remembrancewakinginthewelllovedsong
ThatfallsonBroadway,asonBethlehem
AndmenarehushedwhileGodcomesdowntothem.
BrokenForYou
T
HISISMYBODY,BROKENFORYOU."SO
TheSaviorsaid;andclimbedHislonely
hill.
Thosewerebutwords,andthatwaslongago,"
Thesco erssayandyetIhearHimstill.
WheneverIreachouttobreakthebread,
Ortakethecup,Hisstrickenformappears,
Hispleadingvoiceentreats;andIamled
TogotoHiminpenitenceandtears.
Thatbrokenbodybreaksmystubbornheart
Andputsanendtoallmyfoolishpride.
Iweepasthoughnootherhadapart
InthatforwhichourLordwascruci ed:
TheburdenofHiscrossisminetobear
AsthoughmysinalonehadputHimthere.
BrokenFences
T HEBRINDLEFOUNDITFIRST.IWONDERHOW
Abrokenfencelinedoese ectacow.
Didsheperuseherpassportcarefully?
Or,quiteconsumedwithcuriosity,
Didshedashthroughtheunexpectedgate
Withoutamoment'spausetoruminute?
Therewasabrokenfencelinelongago,
DiscoveredbyaboyIusedtoknow,
Hechosenewpastureswiththegreatestease,
Andneverdidlookback.Yeteverybreeze
Lifelong,thatstirredthecurtainsofhismind.
Blew,somehow,fromthatpastureleftbehind.
BrokenPetals
L ITTLEROSEWITHBROKENPETALS,
Lyinginmyhand,
Tellme:doyougrievetolieso?
Doyoufeartodroopanddieso?
Iwouldunderstand,
Underneaththosebrokenpetals,
Doyoufancypain?
Fearnot,whenthespringshall ndyou
Doubtandgriefnomoreshallbindyou:
Youshallbloomagain.
Lifeismadeofbrokenpetals,
Fallene'enasthose,
Scatteredbitsofdreamsforsaken:
ButatDawn,whenweawaken,
Lo!anotherRose.
BrooksAndWomen
S MALLSTREAMSANDWOMENHAVETOOMUCHTOSAY;
Askanymanandhewilltellyouthat.
Theconstantbabbleofabrookatplay,
Andwomendroppingintosewandchat,
Toosoongrowtiresome.Everymanagrees
Insessantchattermakesforlittlebrain,
Andsocondemnsthetwo,noreversees
Howbrooksandwcmentalktohidetheirpain.
Becausetheheartsofwomenaretooproud
Tostooptotears,theybidtheirlongingshush,
anothertheirgrief,andsmileandtalktooloud.
Thisisthewayofwomen.Andbrooksrush
Thesamewildway,becausetheymustforget
Oldwoundsofstickandstonethatstabthemyet.
Burn,Candle,Burn
B URN,CANDLEBURN,
AcrosstheChristmasnight;
Saytoadarkenedworld
ThatthereisLight.
Shinethroughthegloom
Wheretrembling guresgrope:
Saytoeachburdenedheart
ThatthereisHope.
Burn,candle,burn:
Godisnothighandfar
Hedwellswherecattlecrunch,
Wherechildrenare.
Downeverypath
Thatwearymortalsplod,
Ifyoubutlisten,look,
Youcan ndGod.
Burn,candle,burn
Untilallstrivingscease
Saytoatroubledworld
Thatthereis_Peace:
Onceangelssang,
Thatalltheworldmightsing.
Leteveryheadbebowed
Remembering.
*AsseeninKingsBusinessMagazine
ButLoveIsMore
L OVEISWHATALLHAVESAID.BUTLOVEISMORE:
Morethanthebrinmingcupoftenderness,
Theword,theglance,thetouch.Theseallexplore
Thefringeoflove;butloveisinexcess
Ofthese.Torealizeitscherishedgoal.
Loveclimbsthelonelymountainsofthemind,
Loveprobesthesecretcavernsofthesoul.
Yethe,whothinksheseeslovewhole,isblind.
Loveiswhatallhavesaid.Butlovewillbe
Whatnonecansayuntil,withclearersight,
Throughfadelessagesofeternity,
Welearntoreadthesimplewordaright,
ForGodislove.Thelittlewehaveknown
Will nditsultimateinHim,alone.
*AsseeninChristianHeraldMagazine
ButNotOurGod;
G ODDIDNOTNEEDTOCLOTHETHEWORLDWITHBEAUTY,
Hecouldhaveleftitpracticalandplain:
Hemighthavemadeallpathsmeredustandduty,
Withouttheministryofsunandrain.
ButnotourGod,ourgraciousGod.'
Theverdanthills,thequickenedclod,
Withinaworldofstormandstrife,
ProclaimHeistheLordofLife.
Goddidnotneedtodeckthenightwithsplendor,
Hecouldhavelefttheworldtocarryon
Withoutthestars,themoonlightwarmandtender
Hemighthaveleftearthdesolatetilldawn.
ButnotourGod!Hehadtosow
Theskywithstars,thatwemightknow,
Througheverydarkandtroublednight,
OurFatheristheLordofLight.
GoddidnotneedtoleaveHishomeinglory
Totakethesinner'splaceatCalvary,
Thateverymanmightsharesalvation'sstory
Hecouldhaveleftuslosteternally.
ButnotourGod!Hehadtodie
AtCalvary,thatyouandI
MightsharewithHimthathomeabove
BecauseHeistheLordofLove.
ButYeAreAChosenGeneration
Butyeareachosengeneration,aroyalpriesthood,anholynation,
apeculiarpeople;thatyeshouldshewforththepraisesofhimwho
hathcalledyououtofdarknessintohismarvellouslight;
IPeter2:9
T HESEARENOTFACTSTHATFENCEUSINBELOW
Thedoubts,thefears,theworryandthe
strife,
Allofthevainearthproblemsthatweknow
Hereinthegrimmonotonyoflife.
Wearenotcreaturesofmerecircumstance,
Blownbytheswiftuncertainwindoftime;
Wenibblenotthecrumbledbreadofchance
Oursisaheritagethatissublime.
Thereisafacteternalintheskies:
God'sSonhastriumphedo'erthishouseofclay
Fromoutourearthlybondageweshallrise
ToglimpsethegloryofHisfacesomeday.
Thisisthecircumstancethatknowsnochange:
Christdiedfortheungodlylongago;
Thisisthewonder,beautifulandstrange:
Hisfellowshipthepoorestsoulmayknow.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
Candles
T HESTARSARECANDLESOFTHESKY
WithwhichGodlightsthe
gloom
Tomakethedesertofthenight
Agardenrichwithbloom.
Andallthecarelesslittlewords
Youwhisperedlongago
ArecandleswhichIlighttomake
Theleadenpresentglow.
Carol
N
OTALONEATAVONSHIRE
Isthepreachingdone;
Everywhereandallthetime
GodliftsupHisSon.
Everyfragrantzephyrblown
Overanewmownhay
CallsmebacktoBethlehem
WheretheweeChristlay.
Notasilverripplebreaks
Onariver'sbrim
ButisJordanliftingspray
AsJohnburiedHim.
Whenthetwilighttakesyounghills,
Everysilenttree
Isa ngerpointingus
BacktoCalvary.
AndIneverhearthedove's
Matingmusicswell
ButIturntoPentecost
WhereHisspiritfell.
NotaloneatAvonshire
Isthepreachingdone;
Everywhereandallthetime
GodliftsupHisSon.
Certainty
W
HATEVERCOMESORDOESN'TCOME,
ThisIknow,
Therewillbewarmdaysagain
Aftersnow.
Therewillbewarmdays,andbuds
Burstingthrough
Littlecoatstoshowthemselves
Pinkandnew.
Therewillbethebudsandthen,
Almostnear
Meadowlarkswilltrill venotes
Swiftandclear.
Therewillbethemeadowlarks
Andawall
Greenwithmossanditmaybe
Thatisall.
ButIhope(ohdareIhope?)
Therewillbe
Somethingdearerthanthemall
Justforme.
Child'sPrayer
I
NBETHLEHEMTHESTREETSWEREDIM,
Asshadowsfell;butoverHim
Godlitastar,andheavensmiled,
AndtherewaslightaroundtheChild..
Nowitisdarkagain:Oh,let
Mycandleshine,lestmenforget.
Child'sSongForTheSun
R EDBALL,REDBALL,
Ihaveplayedwithyou,
Bouncedyoudownablueskyroad,
Allthelongdaythrough.
Redball,redball,
Ihavelostyounow
Bouncedtoohighandletyouroll
Overthehill'sbrow.
Redball,redball,
Youaregonebutplease,
Whenyoucomedown,givemylove
TotheyoungChinese!.
ChoosingTheForever
Though the boy was still young, she took him to the LORD's
houseatShiloh.
ISamuel1:24
H EWASSOLITTLE
Icanseeherstand
Trembling,reluctant
Toletgohishand.
Yetshewaswise
Earthtiestosever:
Shechosenotnow,
Buttheforever.
Godgiveusmothers
Whowilljoytosee
Theirsonsremembered
Througheternity.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
ChristChangesThings
H ECHANGEDGOLGOTHA'SGRUESOMEFACE,
ThatstarkhillcalledTheSkull:
Bydyingthere,tosavetheworld,
Hemadeitbeautiful.
JustsoHechangedthefaceofDeath,
ForthoseHecametosave:
Bycomingforthaconqueror.
Triumphant,fromthegrave.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
ChristIsMyFriend
1.MINEMORNINGBREAKS,WHENDAYISNEW.
Notfarbeyondtheheaven'sblue
Butclosebesideme,tender,true,
MyfaithfulFriendabides.
CHORUS:
ChristismyFriend,toHimIbring
ThethoughtsIthink,thesongsIsing.
Nomatterwhatthedaya ords.
Onethoughtsustains:IamtheLord's!
Thoughpathsbesmooth,orpathsberough,
ChristismyFriendthatisenough.
Nootherfriendcouldeverbe
WhatChrist,theSaviour,istome.
2.Whenday'shighnoonwithtoilisrife,
Notfarbeyondthefringeoflife
Butclosebesidemeinthestrife,
MyfaithfulFriendabides.
3.Whenshadowsfall,whendayisdone,
Notfarbeyondthesettingsun
Butcloseandkind,theBlessedOne,
MyfaithfulFriendabides.
SettomusicbyWilliamM.Bower
Written21daysbeforeHelenFrazeeBowerdied.
ChristianDoctor
H EKNOWSTHEHEALINGMINISTRYOFHANDS,
Thedrugstogive,thepotiontoimpart
But,morethanbodyills,heunderstands
Thedeep,deepneedofeverypatient'sheart.
Hiskindnessisa rethatlightstheroan
Againstallchilliness:hehasaway
Ofsmilingthatdispelsthedeepestgloom,
Andskiesthatcloudedarenolongergray.
Godenterswithhimthroughthesickroomdoor;
Theyprobetogetherforthehiddenhurt.
Mencallhimdoctor."Heisthisandmore.
Withmannergentle,andwithtouchexpert,
Hehealsourscarsandtakesawayourpains.
Andthenhegoes;butsomehow,Godremains.
*AsseeninChristianHeraldMagazine
ChristmasLullaby
S
LEEP,MYBABY,GENTLYSLUMBER,
Whilethesnow akesfall:
GodHimselfwasonceababy,
Cradledinastall.
Sleep,mybaby,gentlyslumber,
Darkthenightandcold;
Wewillwarmitwithastory,
Sweetestevertold.
Sleep,mybaby,gentlyslumber.
BlessedJesuscares:
HewhowasHimselfababy
Hearsababy'sprayers.
Sleep,mybaby,gentlyslumber,
Jesusunderstands.
Oh,thelovethatGodhaspro ered
InaBaby'shands!
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
ChristmasParty
W
ITHMINKANDWITHSABLE
ForChristmasprepare,
(ButGodhadastable,
Andcattlewerethere),
Withstruttingandstrumming,
With zzandwithfoam.
(Don'tcountonGodcoming:
Hewon'tfeelathome.)
*AsseeninKingsBusinessMagazine
ChristmasSongForChildren
G REENTREESTALKATCHRISTMASTIME,
Lowandverylow,
Wistyewhatthegreentreessay,
Children,doyouknow?
Speaktheyofagoldenroom,
Toysuponthe oor,
Twinklecandlesinarow?
Yes,oftheseandmore.
GreentreestalkatChristmastime.
Lowandverylow,
Oftheworld's rstChristmastree,
Longandlongago.
Therewasneithergoldenroan.
Toy,norcandlegleam;
ButtherewasaLightindeed
Wistyeofitsbeam?
Itwasstill,ohverystill,
OutonCalvary
WhenGodhungHisChristmasGift,
Christ,upontheTree.
Now,whenChristmascandlesshine,
Now,whenyulelogssing,
Children,hush,andbowthehead,
Onceremembering.
*AsseeninKingsBusinessMagazine
ChristmasWish
I WISHIHADBEENTHESTARTHATPOINTED
Downthroughthelong,longyears
TotheChristwhoshouldcomeforsin'satonement
Makinganendoftears.
Thoughallthenighthadbeendarkaroundme,
Thoughotherstarsgrewdim,
Ishouldhaveshomewithaspecialsplendor
KnowingIshomeforHim.
IwishIhadbeentheheartofMary,
Simpleandunde led
Waitingthelong,longwatchwithJoseph,
EagertoholdGod'schild;
Thoughalltheworldhadbeen lledwithmusic
Voicestheshepherdsheard,
Ishouldhaveleanedmyeartohearken
OnlytheWord,theWord.
Thestarandthebamareanancientstory.
Clothedinthemistsoftime;
AndMaryhasgonethewayofwomen,
Afterhertasksublime;
ButIamalive,andwishfulthinking
HappilyIdismiss:
Iamalivetoshineandshelter
Andthereisneedofthis.
*AsseeninKingsBusinessMagazine
Christ,TheLord,HasCome
1. WHENALLTHEWORLDWASLOSTINSIN,
AndGodsearedveryfar,
Abovethedarknessoftheearth
Hepinnedasinglestar.
Andshepherds,watchinginthe elds,
Werestartledatthesight:
Theangelssang,theshadows ed
Andalltheysawwaslight.
CHORUS
Thesongresounds,
Thelightabounds,
ForChristtheLordhascome.
Today,asthen,
Hecomestomen
Oh,makeyourheartHishome!
2.Thoughallmankindhadgoneastray,
Bysinandshameundone.
OurGodcouldnotforgetHisworld:
HesentHisonlySon.
AndMary,bythemangerbed,
SangsoftlytotheBoy:
Herpainandwearinessweregone,
Andallshefeltwasjoy.
3.Thoughsinandsorrowruletheworld,
Andmanisborntostrife,
Insteadtheuglinessofdeath
Insteadtheuglinessofdeath
GodgivesEternalLife.
Andallwhotrustredeeminggrace
Will ndasweetrelease:
TheLordhascome.GiveHimyourheart.
He'llgiveyoujoyandpeace.
CityPark
L
ETMELOOKLONGUPONTHISCOOLANDSTILL
Greenepicoftheearth,wedgedinbetween
Thewallsofindustry,thisquietscene
Wherecomesnotra crumble,northeshrill
Newsboyannouncing.Letmesitand ll
Myhomesickheartwithothergoldandgreen:
Thesiftedgoldofsunlightthroughthelean,
Darkshapesofpinesuponafaro hill.
Man'smostneed,thoughherushandtoilandfret
Forfoodandraiment,isnotmetinthese.
Thenakedsoulhasneedofcanopies
Ofsilence;andthehungersthatbeset
Theloneheartareappeasedbynothingless
Thangrowingbeauty,clothedinquietness.
Letmelooklonguponthiscoolandstill
Greenepicoftheearth,wedgedinbetween
Thewallsofindustry,thisquietscene
Wherecomesnotra crumble,northeshrill
Newsboyannouncing.Letmesitand ll
Myhomesickheartwithothergoldandgreen:
Thesiftedgoldofsunlightthroughthelean,
Darkshapesofpinesuponafaro hill.
Man'smostneed,thoughherushandtoilandfret
Forfoodandraiment,isnotmetinthese.
Thenakedsoulhasneedofcanopies
Ofsilence,andthehungersthatbeset
Ofsilence,andthehungersthatbeset
Theloneheartareappeasedbynothingless
Thangrowingbeauty,clothedinquietness.
ClingToHisHand
1. WHENTHECLOUDSOFTROUBLEGATHER,
Whentheshadesofnightdescend.
ThereisOnewhowalksbesideyou
Hewillkeepyoutotheend.
CHORUS:
Nightmaybelong,buttheheartneednotfearit,
Skymaybedark,butGod'smorningwillclearit;
Whisperaprayer,fortheSaviorcanhearit
ClingtoHishandinthedark.
2.Whenyouthinkyouareforgotten
Bythefriendsthatyouhaveknown,
ThereisOnewhostillremembers
OnewhoneverleavesHisown.
3.Christhasbeenthiswaybeforeyou,
Hehaswalkedeachlonelyroad;
Whentheburdensseemtooheavy
LettheSaviorshareyourload.
4.Onlydoubtersfaintandfalter.
Walkbyfaithandnotbysight
Intheheartofeveryshadow
DwellsthelovelyLordofLight.
Love'sFruit
L
I;
OVEISANECTARWEHAVETASTEDIT,
Abloomandwehavepluckedit,youand
Loveisabookwhereinthegodshavewrit
Thosemortaljoyswhichtheycannotsupply;
Loveisamirrorwhereweonlysee
Re ectedwhatiscomelytotheview;
Loveisahalowhichyoumakeforme,
AndlovearodwithwhichImeasureyou.
Allthisweknow,andthisdoesloveful ll
Inallourhearts;yetarewenotcontent
Todeemourloveimmortalizeduntil,
Gropingforlightinblindbewilderment,
Wecomeatlast,throughsacri ceandloss,
Toknowloveisacrownofthorns,across.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
CommentaryOnPlowing:ThePoet
T HENEWTURNEDFURROWSSPRAWLBENEATHTHESUN;
Duskyandsilent,earthawaitshertime
Ofblossoming.Nowhardlywillbewon
Thewhitedawn icker,whenthewilltoclimb
Shallstirtheseed:thisdarklyribboned eld,
Drowsywithdreams,willwaketosuddenzest,
Insinuousundulationsthegreenyield
Ofbeautywillbecomeadreamconfessed.
Yetnotthepregnantpremisesofwealth
Ingrain,orvintage,woemeIambound
Tothissweetidlemoment.Theslowstealth
Ofonesmall eldmouse,andthebrittlesound
Ofblackclodscrunching,Ishallwaketo nd
Howoften,downthefurrowsofthemind!
CommentaryOnPlowing:AnOldWoman
T HEPLOWCUTSDEEP,THENEWTURNEDEARTHLIESBLACK
Asgriefturnedoverintheheart.Theland
Hasheardaquestionandhasgivenback
Theanswer:inadarkbutcertainhand
Theslowscriptruns.Eachfurrowinthesun
Liescoolandisolate.Theplowcutsdeep,
Strikesattheroots;andslowly,onebyone,
Theearthgivesupthesecretsshewouldkeep.
Howoften,inthebrown eldsoftheheart,
Theplowcutsdeep;forfurrowsofdespair
Yieldannualincrease.Butallripegrainsstart
Fromdeepturnedearthandwiththebrighteyedstare
*AsseeninWingsMagazine
ComesTheDawn
A
LLNIGHTTHESTORMYVANGUARDSOFTHESKY
Besiegedthebatteredearth.Thetwistedtrees
Onemomenttossedtheirwindsweptbrancheshigh;
Thenext,bowedlowupontheirsuppliantknees.
Nowmorningbreaks:thedrearylandscapeswims
Insunlitglory;andthegaunttreesstand
Atease,toresttheirwornandwearylimbs.
Nowgentlenesscomesbacktoalltheland.
Sohush,myheart,andtrust:forsurelyHe,
Whostillsthestormsinnature,knowstheway
Totouchthetumultineachlife,andbe
Himselfthesunriseandtheperfectday.
Hedriesalltears.Beyondthishaggardnight
Therewillbepeaceagainandwarmthandlight.
*AsseeninWarCryMagazine
CompassionIsThyName
W
HENIBEHOLDTHETHIRSTYSTALKSOFGRAIN
Uncurllong ngerstothecoolingrain
Andwriteingreenthepremiseofthewheat,
BecauseThygraceprovidesthatmanmayeat,
ThenIrecallthehungrymultitude
Thecurious,theeager,faintforfood
Theloavesand shessharedwithallwhocame.
OSonofGodCompassionisThyname!
*AsseeninWarCryMagazine
Coins
T WOCOINS,TWOPOLISHEDCOINS,AREMINETOHOLD,
AreminetospendorcherishasIwill,
AndoneIhoardasmisershoardtheirgold,
Andone,alas,toocarelesslyIspill.
OLife,mysecondcoin,howrecklessly
Yourshiningdaysslipthroughthese ngertips!
ButLove,my rst,Iguardyoujealously,
Againstthetouchthewildsweettouchoflips.
Butiftherecome(andohIknowtheremust!)
Oneinwhoseeyesnajglorieswakeforme,
I'lltakemyLoveandspenditforacrust
Tofeedhissoulthroughalleternity.
ThenLife,grownstrangelypreciousathistouch,
ShallbethecoinIcherishovermuch.
Herald
Con dences
H EART,NEVERTALKWITHTREESINGREEN
Theyarenottrusty,quite.
Forwhattheyhearincon dence
Theywhisperofatnight.
Golaughandplayandsingwiththem.
Theirownbrightwisdomsglean,
Butstilltheurgethatcoaxeslips
Totalkwithtreesingreen.
Andifasecretlongingstirs
Thatwillnotsettledown,
Hearttakeyourlittlewistfuldreams
Andtalkwithtreesinbrown.
Barebranchesonyourcheekwillbe
Assoftas ngertips;
Heart,theywillknowandneverspeak
Oldsorrowssealtheirlips.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
Consecration
T HATIMAYHAVETHECONFIDENCE
Life'sgreatattemptstotry,
NightafternightIkeepmyfaith
Withwhitestars,stillandhigh.
ThatImayhavethepatientgrace
Tomeetdullcircumstance,
DayafterdayIkeepmyeyes
Oncountlessploddingants.
Andwhichrenewsmyspiritmost,
Orwhy,Icannottell;
Only,betweenthetwoliesGod,
SomewhereIknowitwell.
Consecration(2)
M ENBUILDTHEIRTEMPLESUNTOGOD,
Magni centandhigh.
Theirdomesandspiresareliftedup;
ButGodmaypassthemby.
Todwellintemplesmadebyhands
IsnotHischosenplan:
Heseeksthehumble,humanheart.
God'stempleistheman;
Man'shopeofglory,Christwithin.
Howstrangeandmarvelous
ThatGodshouldchoosethishouseofclay
Inhabitedbyus!
Mostgladlyletusthengiveplace
Anddedicateafresh
ToHim,whoserightitistoreign,
Thistempleofthe esh.
*AsseeninWarCryMagazine
Conversation
F IRSTTUCKYOURTULIPBULBSBENEATHTHESOD,
Thenmakeaplaceforpansies.Didyouknow,
Dearlittleboy,thatnowyouworkwithGod?
Hemadeagardeninthelongago;
Hemakesallgardensyet.Hoseedcansprout
WithoutHiscare.Hesendstherain,thesun:
No owerwakesandpokesitsbrightfaceout
UnlessHeguardsandcherisheseachone.
Anddidyouknowthat,whenHislovedoneschose
AplaceforJesus,afterHehaddied,
TheyfoundagardenandfrcmthereHerose,
That rstgladEastermorning,glori ed?
Somakeyourgarden,littleboy,eachspring:
Godgivesusgardensforremembering.
ConsiderThis
C ONSIDERTHIS,WHENFROMTHECHAFINGBOND
Oflife'sactivityyoustealaway
Toquietdreams,considerthis:apond
Fringedwithblueirishassomewhattosay:
Keensparklingwitofripples,reveries,
Coolbrowedandstillbeneaththelotuspad,
These,andthegraveassurancesoftrees
Bendingabove,arelargesstobehad.
Considerthis:nobrightpoolofthemind,
Wherethoughthasemptiedandwherewisdomlies
Captive,cangiveyoumorethanyouwill nd
Inonesmallpondfaceliftedtotheskies,
Backontheearth,andslimarmsstretchedabout
Blueiris ungtoheavenlikeashout!
*AsseeninKaleidographMagazine
Consolation
A
LLLIFEBEGINSINWONDER,
Andendsinwandering.
Butinbetweenarebeauty,
Andtoilandsu ering;
Andinbetweenarechildren,
Withlittle,trusting,eyes;
Andlightandloveandlaughter;
Andbookstomakeonewise;
Greatmomentsofendeavor;
Briefmomentsofcontent;
Andallthesongandsunshine
Forwhichtheworldwasmeant.
Theoldmayfaintandfalter,
Butstilltheheartcanlean
Wheneveningshadowslengthen
Upontheinbetween.
Contentment
T
HEREISAPOINTBEYONDWHICHLONGINGENDS,
Wherenomoreyearningis,noranyhope
Abovethepresentneed;wherethoughtdescends
Tocannonearth,andwishesceasetogrope.
Contentmentmenhavecalledit;andtheymake
Ofitathingmostdiligentlysought.
Notsowithme:Iwouldforeverbreak
Thefragilethreadofwhichcontentiswrought.
Givemethewilltoseek;thethoughtthatlifts
Thehumbleheartonpinionsofdesire.
Itistheweak,thestagnant,soulthatdrifts
Incalmcontenttoofeebletoaspire.
Who ndsmostLifemustmostforlivingstrive;
Foronlybyourlongingsdowelive.
*AsseeninSurveyMagazine
CouldYeNotWatch?
What,couldyenotwatchwithmeonehour?
Mathew26:40
H EISTIRELESSINHISCAREFORALL
Ofus!Heslumbersnot,theblessedChrist,
Sodiligenttoserve.WhenIrecall
ThejoyofheaventhatHesacri ced
Towalkawhilewithmen,Hishealingtouch,
Soswifttocomfortallwhosu eredloss,
Hisbusyhandsthatservedsowell,somuch
Thoselovinghands,nailpiercedupontheCross
ThenIremsnberdarkGethsemane;
AndoutofsilenceIcanhearHimsay,
Couldyenotwatchwithmeonehour?"He
Waseverwatchfuloftheirneeds;butthey
HadsleptthroughHis.Howcould,howcouldtheydo
Thisthing?Butwhatofme?Andwhatofyou?
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
Counselor'sLament(AntidoteforEgoIn ation)
W ECOUNSELEDANDCAJOLEDTHEM,
Wereadtheirlittleminds,
Andinourdallyrecords,
Wecataloguedour nds";
Butwhenwemettheirteachers
(Inspiteofsmileandsmirk)
Theirinevitablegreeting
Was,Well,itdoesn'twork."
Weequippedourselveswithgadgets"
Andgimcracks"todelight;
Weconsultedwiththeexperts"
Far,farintothenight;
But,themorewereadaboutthem,
(toclassifyeachquirk)
Themoretheirteacherstoldus,
Mydear,itdoesn'twork."
Wedealtwithtempertantrums,"
Thetimid"andwithdrawn";
Weslept,anddreamedaboutthem,
Frommidnightuntodawn;
Wesearchedforalltheanswers",
(ourtaskwedidnotskirk)...
Theirteachershadoneanswer,
Toobaditdoesn'twork!"
Weknowwehavebeenfaithful
Andtriedtounderstand;
Andreallyifyouaskus
Wethinkwe'reprettygrand;
Butlet'sbeveryhumble,
Let'sneitherravenorrant,
We'resureweunderstandthem.
Butstilltheirteacherscan't!!
CountryChristmas
N OWONESTARSHINESABOVETHEHILL,
Pinnedtoapinesodarkandstill.
Uponthehillslopehuddledsheep
Arelittlewoollymoundsofsleep.
Thecattle,housedandwannedandfed,
Standdozingbythemangerbed.
Withstarandsheepandfragranthay,
HowcantheChildbefaraway?
Thoughangelthrongshavegivenplace
Tosatellitesthatwhirlinspace,
ThiscountryChristmasitwouldseen
Thatpeaceonearthisnotadream.
*AsseeninTimeofSingingMagazine
CountrySchoolhouse
T HELITTLE,LONELYSCHOOLHOUSEBYTHEROAD,
Withvacantwindowsemptyeyedandstill,
Seanslisteningforscamperingoffeet,
Forlaughtertossedfromhilltosunnyhill.
Thebigbuscomestotakethechildren,now.
Inmodem,wellequippedandoversized
Newbuildingseducationwillgoon,
Completelyuptodateandorganized.
Butdonottearthelittleschoolhousedown:
Itisnotroofandwallsand oor,alone,
Butsomethinglostandlovedandintimate
Awayoflivingthatisalmostgone.
Ashelterforthefeatheredandthefurred,
Thereletitstandandweathertodecay:
Manneedsonelittleguidepostpointingback,
Amidstthefrenziedfuroroftoday.
*AsseeninOregonianMagazine
CoupletsByTheWay
N
OTHINGISQUITESOFULLOFPLEASURE
Asthethingyou'ddoifyouhadthe
leisure.
Nothingisquitesofullofmerit
Asthegownyoulikebutyoucannotwearit.
Nothingisquitesofullofbeauty
Asahopethatthrivesonthefareofduty.
Nothingisquitesofullofwonder
Asadreamthat oatswhentherestgounder.
Courage
Y
OUASKEDME,WHATISCOURAGE?"ANDITOOK
Thedictionarydownandspelleditout.
Forsuchalittleboy,theheavybook
Wasponderous.Youtwisteditabout;
Yousaid,It'sbeingbraveandwhatisthat?"
Yousaid,It'snottofearamIafraid?
Doescouragearchitsbackuplikeourcat,
Andspitateverythingitmeets?"yousaid.
Perplexed,weclosedthebookandtookawalk.
Andcamewhere rehadworkeduntimelydeath;
Thewoodsweregone.Butonaslenderstalk
A owerinchedforlife.Icaughtmybreath.
Courage,"Isaid,andtookyoubythehand,
Isonewhite owerina resweptland."
*AsseeninSaturdayEveningPostMagazine;7/30/1938Vol.211Issue5,p40
Courage(2)
L IFE,ATYOURFEETILAYTHECHOICESTGIFTS
ThatIcangive,
Norquestionaught,ifonlyinmethrob
Thewilltolive,
Thewilltofacetomorrow,thoughitsway
Besteeporrough.
Igiveyou,Life,forcourageallIown
Isthisenough?
Myhopes,mydreams,mystubbornyouthfulpride
Thatwillnotfail;
Ifthesebenotsu cientvalue,Life,
Whatcanavail?
Nay,mustIborrow?ThenI'llaskofLove,
Aboon,Ipray."
AndLoveshallbuymecourageandthefaith
Tofaceeachday.
*AsseeninLyricMagazine
Courage(3)
W HATISSOSTILLASAROADINTHEMOONLIGHT?
Whatissopaleasastaratthedawn?
Whatissobraveasaheartthatkeepssinging,
Afterthereasonforsingingisgone?
Morningwillshatterearth'smoonstrickensilence,
Nightwillbringbacktheglowtoastar
Nothing,ohnothing,shallchallengethecourage
Ofheartsthatkeepsingingwhensongissofar.
CountryDoctor
H EDEALTWITHBROKENBODIES.HEWOULDSCOFF
Atcarelesspleasurelazyleisureyields.
ButeveryThursday,onhisonedayo ,
Hetooktheboyandwalkedtheopen elds.
There,tallagainsttheskyline,hewouldstand,
Thenturnandstooptoearthandcupaclod
Andplaceitgentlyinthesmallboyshand.
Youknewhespoketohimofgrowth,andGod.
Youknewhelookedalongthefarfrontiers
Ofalltomorrows,whentheboywouldbe
Theman,inneedofwisdomfortheyears,
Inneedofstrengthandoftenacity.
Againstthetroubledtimesofdeathandbirth,
Hegavehissonthiscontactwiththeearth.
Courage,Resourcefulness,Character
F
ROMMANYWALKSOFLIFETHEYCOME,
Whocannolongerwalk;
And,farfromhome,theymakeahome
Oflaughterandoftalk.
Theybringtheircourageintheirhands,
Whosehandscanhardlyhold
Anotherthing.Eachunderstands
Beforehehasbeentold.
They ndresourcefulwaystoshare
Theburdensnottheirown,
Andcarryall,whowouldnotdare
Tocarryonealone.
Uponanother'sneedtheywait,
Lessfortunatethanthey;
Iseethemstanding,tallandstraight,
Whomustsitdownallday;
Iseethemstandingsobecause,
Withscarceadreamful lled,
Theytoilandtoil,withoutapause
Whatcharactertheybuild!
Thoughmuscleorthoughsinewshrink,
Theystillpursuetheirgoal.
ThesearelesshandicappedIthink
Thanmanywhoarewhole.
Creed
I
BELIEVEINTHEBEAUTY
Ofwingsagainstthenight
Agullcleavingthedarkness
Withslowstainsoflight.
Ibelieveinthewisdom
Ofwordsalongtheshore:
Awaveburstingwithclamor,
Hushed,sayingnomore.
Ibelieveinthewonder
Oflovewithintheheart:
Poisedlikeagulldrifting,
Awave,readytostart.
CrossRoads
H
ITHERANDYONTHEYCALLTOME,
AndwhithershallIgo?
Thebroadhighwaywalksstraightahead
'TissmoothandwhiteIknow;
Andyetthegrayroadbeckons,
Witheverycurvealure:
Itjustgoesstumblingonitsway
I'dliketotakeit,sure.
Therearecrowdsuponthehighway,
Andsignstomakeitplain;
Butsomewheredownthegrayroad
Ismellthebreathofrain
Thewindcomesouttocoaxme,
Withsoftbeguilingtone,
Theleavesreachouttheirlittlehands
Thehighwaywalksalone.
*AsseeninSouthernerMagazine
CrushedPetals
T HEROSE,THATLIKEACRIMSONTAPERBURNED
Atdawnwithinthegarden'shallowedshrine,
Alreadyfades,eachbrilliantpetalturned
Torustalongtheedges.Sodecline
Beautyandyouth.Butwhentheroseshalllie
Ascatteredruininthegrass,Iknow
Lightwindswillsteepandstirandliftonhigh
Thewondrousfragrancethatitlivedtoshow.
Loveisarosethatforamoment amed,
Thoughlifehascrushedthepetalsonebyone
Beloved,liftyourface,benotashamed,
Norstriveouralteredcircumstancetoshun
Lifeleavesusstillthistruthtothinkabout:
Eachbloomiscrushedtobringthesweetnessout.
*AsseeninMontclair,NewJerseyTimesMagazine
CryOutOfDarkness
S ILENCEISDRIFTINGLIKESORROW
Intothestreetsofthetown;
Dayisalosttomorrow,
Seekingavanishedcrown.
Dayisadrab,insistant,
Threadbare,familiartune;
Lifeisanonresistant.
Onlyascantwhitemoon.
Outofthebravepastlingers,
Onlygrayghostwordsstart
Pluckingwithnervous ngers
Thebrokenstringsoftheheart.
Cycle
A SMALLBOYTHINKSTHATINHISDAD
Restsallthewisdomtobehad.
YouthputstheOldManontheshelf
Andseeksforwisdominitself.
Thefatherknowsthat,tobewise,
Onelooksintoasmallboy'seyes.
DartmoorDusk
G IVEMEYOURHANDANDLETTHETWILIGHTGATHER
Hometothemoor
Wishhoundandpixyandagauntgrayshadow
Tostalkourdoor.
Blowonnoembersofunlittomorrows,
Slipo nohusk
Fromwitheredyesterdays;butclaspthismoment
AndDartmoordusk.
Thisisthehourofourhearts'detachment,
Thetimetostand
Unthinkingandunthoughtofbutforgetnot
Toholdmyhand.
Dawn
D AWNANDAFLUSHOFCRIMSON
Heraldsthecomingsun;
Somewherealarkischanting
Hismorningrequiem.
Dawnandamistofsilver
Wrapseverybladeandleaf;
Myloneheartkeepsrepeating
Theburdenofitsgrief.
*AsseeninOverlandMonthlyMagazine
Dawn(2)
N
OWTOITSDAILYROUNDOFCARERETURNS
Theworld,thatforaseasonsoughtrelief
Inslumberfromthemanifoldconcerns,
Thearduoustasksofliving.Forabrief
Ecstaticinstant,wonderbornoflight
Clotheswithromancesightscannon, guresdull;
Creepsfrcmtheeastatremorofthenight
Thatmountsinwindandpassestoalull.
SomewhereIknow,likethis,anotherdawn
Withrosy ngersreachesfortheday;
Somewhere,Iknow,itsgloryfallsupon
Anotherlandscape,otherwindsatplay,
Andonewhodreams,andslumberingforgets
Freedforamomentfromtheoldregrets.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
DayBeforeSpring
N
OWISAGREENMISTPRESENTONTHETREES
Ontiptoestanding,hushedandhesitant.
Whatshyandintimateexpectantcies
Disturbtheirbranches,wherethepalegoldslant
Ofsunlight ndsthem?Thesearequickenednow:
Thesecretpulseoflifebeatssoftwithin,
Prysatthesurface,creepsalongeachbough.
Theancientmiraclewillsoonbegin.
Tomorrowwillbringpatternoutofmist:
Thethincoolleaves,uncurledanddelicate,
Willwakentoaworldsundrenched,windkissed.
Butforthatglory,nowtheheartcanwait:
Theheartcandreamawhile,contenttocling
JusttothisslenderpremiseoftheSpring.
*AsseeninArizonaHighwaysMagazine
DayBeforeWinter
T HEEARTHHASGONEBACKTOHERSLEEPING
Asonewhoreturns
Tootiredtoextinquishtheembers,
Forgottenthereburns
Thegoldenrod.Hereforamoment
Mayone,grownalarmed
Bysomethingtoosinister,chilly,
Reachoutandbewarmed.
*AsseeninHollandsMagazine
Days
T HEDAYSGOBYMEASITRUDGE
AlongLife'swindingway,
Andsomearedull,somedreamyeyed;
Butsomeallblitheandgay
Strewsmilesand owersatmyfeet,
Thenshylysqueezemyhand
Andrunaheadtopointtheway
Deardaysthatunderstand.
Sanedaysonetoucheslightly
Asseagullstouchthefoam,
Findingnojoy,fordreaming
Ofjoythatistocome.
Orluringghostsoflaughter
Downdimforgottenways
Wherelightwindsstirtheashes
Ofburiedyesterdays.
TodayIhaveliveddeeply,
Oncurrentsstrongandfree
Asthosethatsweeptheocean
Thisdayhascarriedme
WhereYesterdayisonly
Afaintrecedingshore,
AndsomewherelurksTomorrow
Anislandtoexplore.
ButIamkintoneither,
Formedoesnaughtexist
Savewidegrayseasofwater
Andfreedomandamist.
Nodayhasbeensavethisone,
Nodayshalleverbe,
AllelseIwilltouchlightly
Tokeepthismemory.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
DeathComesToAll
Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
Matthew28:20
unde ned
D EATHCOMESTOALL.BUTDEATHISNEVERALL,
ForthosewholookintotheSavior'sface.
Withintheshadowedvalleytheserecall
Hisblessedpremise:thattheGodofgrace
Goeswiththem.Whentheformsoflovedonesfade,
Hisformgrowsclearer.Thesearenotbereft
Andunbefriended:theyaregladtotrade,
Forheaven'sjoy,theearthlyjoystheyleft.
Deathcomestoall.Butoh,howdi erent
Forthosewhoseemptyheartshaveneverknown
That,fortheirsoul'ssalvation,Christwassent.
Allsuchmustwalkthelast,darkroadalone.
Deathcomestoall.Butnottoallthesame:
SomegotomeetitintheSavior'sname.
DeadMenSpeakTheTruth
B ROTHER,SLEPTYOUVERYWELL
Thisandyesternight?"
Nay,Idreamedagainofearth."
Suchdreamsweredelight."
Nay,IheardaCauseupheld,
Sawtheyoungeyesglow;
AndIfearmenseekagain,
Brother,whatweknow."
Haveyouthennoprideofdeath.
YouwhogaveyourYouth?"
Nay,thegravehashumbledme:
Deadmenspeakthetruth."
Bysomefancynowitseems
Irememberyou
Brother,wereyounotofthose
Thatmyownhandslew?"
SoIwas.Butdoyounow
Anypartrecall
Ofalltheglorythatwasyours,
Orwhywefoughtatall?"
Nay,Ionlyknowthewind
Piercedmewithhisbreath;
Andthenightwasverystill...
Andyousmiledindeath."
ButtheCause,thenobleCause,
Thatforwhichyoubled?"
Brother,IforgottheCause
Forthinkingofyoudead."
Whatthingsshallamanlaydown
Then,ifnothislife,
ToprovethegloryofaCause
Andjustifythestrife?"
Brother,thereisbutoneway,
Honor'sonlytest:
The rsttolayhisweaponsdown
Heconquersalltherest."
Byourerrorwehavefound
Wisdomfortheirneed;
Butwoe,thatforthetruthweguard
Thenationsstillmustbleed!"
DearTeacher
A
LLSUMMERLONGTHEWINDOWSOFHISMIND
Were ungwideopentothewindandsun.
Returntoroutineissoslow!Bekind,
Begentle,trytounderstandthatone
Whowalkedinwaywardwonderthroughamaze
Ofgoldenhours,onewholistenedlong
Tobirdandbrook,may ndawellturnedphrase
Anantidotethatisabittoostrong.
Hewillreturntolearning;butnotyet:
Thecorridorsofthoughtarecrowdedstill
Withmorningmeadowswherethegrasswaswet,
Withbranchesblowingonawindyhill.
Hewillreturn.Bepatientwithhim,please:
Onecomesbackslowlyfromsuchthingsasthese.
Decision
H
EQUAFFED,ANDHUNGTHEDIPPERBYTHEWELL.
Blackgold,"hesaid,blackgoldtenmiles
away!
HeyMaicomehere.Youthinkweoughttosell?
TheystruckoilontheGreensburgroadtoday."
Inquietnessshemovedtofeedthepup.
Inquietnesssheturnedandtouchedhishand.
NowPa,"shesaid,don'tgetyoufussenedup:
Theland'sthething,theclean,thelovelyland."
Hewalkedthewornpathtothepasturebars,
Andleanedagainstthenight;beyondthehill
Hetracedtheslenderpatternofthestars.
Thencameandcuppedadipperful,tospill
Itoutupontheground.Let'sgotobed
Awellwasmadeforwater,Ma,"hesaid.
*AsseeninSaturdayEveningPostMagazine;6/6/1959,Vol.231Issue49,p47
Dedication
Thenacloudcoveredthetentofthecongregation,andtheglory
oftheLord lledthetabernacle.
Exodus40:34
N be
OWUNTOTHEE,OLORD,WEDEDICATE
Thisworkofheartandhand,thishouseto
Thydwellingplace.Thehumbleandthegreat,
Therich,thepoor,areallaliketoThee;
AndeachhasneedofThee.Howeverfar
Thewanderedmayfare,whenheshallcome
Tothis,Thyhouse,ohletitbeastar
Toguidehissoultoheavenandtohome.
Bepleasedtotake.MostHolyandMostHigh,
ThishouseandmakeitThine,For,Lord,unless
Thypresenceshallremaintosanctify,
Thisstructureisbuttoilandemptiness.
ForallofthosewhoneedThytendertouch,
Thycleansingpower,Thyredeeminggrace,
Webringourlittle,Lord,nowmakeitmuch.
OhletThyglorycomeand llthisplace.
DelightfulBondage
S HEHADBEENYOUNGONCE,BUTSHEWASTOOTIRED
Mostofthetimenow:Childrenmakealot
Ofworkformothers.Twiceayearhehired
Someonetohelp,andtookhertoaspot
Wheretherewereshadedlightsandmutedstrings
Andfoodshehadnot xed.Helovedtosee
Herfacelightup:Shesaid,Itgivesmewings
Alone,likethis,justlikeweusedtobe."
Overthesaladplateshertalkbegan:
Isn'tthesmallonesmart?AndBeckydear?
Iloveherhair.WhenDavidisaman
He'llshowthemall!"Whereshallwegofromhere?"
Heasked.Shesaidineithereyeastar
Let'sgorighthome,andseejusthowtheyare!"
Departure
I
HAVENOTKNOWNSOSTILLADAYASTHIS:
Thedrowsymoments,fraughtwithmemory,
Stealtothebordersofdepartedbliss
Andcomenomore.Asvesselsputtosea,
Withsailshalffurled,reluctanttoforego
Thewelllovedcurveoffriendlyreefandhill,
Lazywithdreams,myquietthoughtsmoveslow
Aswingsthatlift,and utter,andarestill.
AlldayIhavenotspokenbutmylips
Aretremulouswithsomethingmorethansighs,
Guardingalastwordthatforeverslips
Fartherintothesilence;andmyeyes,
Hungrywithhope,turnoftentothedoor
Seekingashadowthatwillfallnomore.
*AsseeninContemporaryVerseMagazine
Departure(2)
H EWHISTLEDTOHISDOG,ANDALLWASSTILL;
Iwatchedhimdisappearbeyondthehill.
Whatbeyethinkin'?"alltheneighborssaid
Whybeyestandin'there?Theoldman'sdead
Son,deathandtaxescomestoeveryone."
Iknewthattheywereright:hisracewasrun
AndyetIstoodwherehehadstoodbefore,
Watchingthesunlightthroughhissycamore,
Andknewhewasnotinthatlonelygrave....
Hewhistledtohisdog.Isawhimwave.
Detachment
I FONSOMEPERFECTPLANETWECOULDSTAND
Andwithdisinterestviewtheliveswelead,
See,throughourclearereyes,thelifeindeed,
Strippedofitsdailydolethesmalldemand
Acleancut,nakedfact;couldweconmand
Thestrengththatweassume,theprideourcreed
Wherebyincon dencewedareexceed,
Orsaywedo,allelseCreationplanned?
Couldweinthatbriefintervalcompare
Withtree,withrock,thatneitherstirnorfret;
Withhumblesoil,thatdothnopridebeget;
Withallwildthingsthatroam,andbirdsinair?
Wecouldnot.Yetwelightourcenturies
With,Manshallhavedominionoverthese."
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
Discovery
I TISNOTDEAD,THEBEAUTYTHATWEKNEW:
Longtimeitslept,Beloved,buttoday,
Beneathanoldlogwhereonevioletgrew,
Ifoundourhearts'youngtreasurelaidaway;
Ifoundthetenderwordsthathadgrowncold
Forlackofbeingsaid;Ifoundthesongs
Thatlitoureverytwilighthourofold,
Andallthewonderthattolovebelongs.
Ithadnotdied,Beloved:whenGodfound
Thatlifewouldrobusofearth'slittlebest,
Hehidourgoldensecretundergound,
Andletavioletholdittoitsbreast
WellknowingIwouldpassalongthatway.
Ifoundallbeautywehaveknowntoday.
DisplacedPerson
O LDWOMAN,OLDWOMAN,
Whydoyousit
Withthefoldedhands
Thatrefusetoknit?
Oldwoman,oldwoman,
Whathavetheydone
Withyourspinningwheel
Andthewoolyouspun?
Oldwoman,oldwoman,
Wherearetheynow:
Thehensyoufed
Andthebrindledcow?
Oldwoman,oldwoman,
Whydoyousigh
Whenthesirensblow
Andthecarswhizby?
Oldwoman,oldwoman,
Lifeisstrange:
Timeisthewheel
Andthespokesarechange.
Doctors
S OMEMENBUILDBRIDGES,ARCHEDAGAINSTTHESKY,
Brightspansofsplendorwiththestrengthof
steel;
Seinebuildskyscrapers,gauntandgrayandhigh,
Gropingamongthestars,asthosewhofeel
Forsomerememberedbeautylostintime.
Thesehavetheirlittlehourofacclaim:
Onemomentliftedtotheheightssublime
Thenext,forgotteninthehalloffame.
Sanemenbuildbrokenbodies:stoopandtake
Thescatteredpuzzleofdisruptedlife
And, ttingpiecetopiecetogether,make
Orderfromchaos,harmonyfromstrife.
ThesebuildwithGod;andtimecannoterase
Whattheyaccomplish,norobscuretheirplace.
DoggerelForJenny
D EARGOD,BLESSDADANDMOMMIETOO,
AndMikeandDebbie,alllifethrough;
Andblessallpoodles,clippedandneat.
Withru saroundtheirnecksandfeet,
Withslenderlegsandroundeyesstare
Goddon'tforgettoblessPierre.
Godblessallauntsandcousinssmall,
Andunclesshortandunclestall;
Andblessallbirddogsbraveandwise
Withtailsthatpoint,andfriendlyeyes
Andearstohidethemwhentheynod
RememberMr.Gomery,"God.
Godblessallteachers,badandgood,
Theytrytodothethingstheyshould;
AndblessallDachsundslongdrawnout,
Withendsthatwiggleinandout
Ofalltightplaceswheretheysqueeze
DearGod,blessSchizoifyouplease.
DoStreetsRemember?
D OSTREETSREMEMBER,WHENTHELONGDARKMAKES
Alittlesilenceinbetweentwodays
Oftra c,hew,somewhere,thesunrisebreaks
Acrossgoldhilltopsandthesuddenrays
Fingergreenbranches?Dotheythenrecall
Intimaciesofearththatnowtheymiss,
Rustleofwindybranchesandthesmall
Birdtalkatdawn?Dostreetsrememberthis?
Dostreetsremember,orhavetheytoolong
Beenburdenedwiththeweightoflife,thepress
Ofcountlessfootsteps,tocallbackthesong
Oflarkorrobin?Doestheweariness
Fromcrowdedmomentscrushtheirdreamingor
Dostreetsrememberbeautyknownbefore?
DoubleTrouble
F ORGRAPPLINGWITHSAFETYPINS,
Insuchpeculiarposes,
Forwipingjellyfromtheirchins
Andbutterfromtheirnoses,
Iprayforgracewhendaybegins
Andwisdomwhenitcloses
Say,wasitIwhothoughtthattwins
Wouldbeabedofroses!
DoYouRemember?
D OYOUREMEMBER?
Doyourememberhow,onenight,wetook
Thelanterndownandlitit,pulledourcoats
Aboutournecks,andwenttotakealook
Atthenewspottedheifer?Wehadoats
Topacifythemother.Icanhear,
Asthoughitwerebutyesterday,yourlaugh,
Asyoudiscreetlystrokedit:Yousaid,Dear,
It'ssuchaverywobblylittlecalf!"
Doyouremember?
Tonighttherewillbedinnerplatesforsix
Andcandlelightonsilver:Youwillmove
Theperfecthostesshereandthereto x
Lastminutetouches;andIshallapprove,
Butonlyfaintly:ForIhearthewind
Bangingourshutters,and,bylanternlight,
Iseemtoseeyourush,undisciplined,
Outtoasmallcalfbawlinginthenight.
Doyouremember?
DreamHouse
T HELITTLEHOUSEWASLANKANDLEAN,
Withweatherbeatenseams,
Andoftenfromitsslimcon nes
Iplannedthehouseofdreams.
Sethighuponthehillsofhope,
Abovethewindsofchance,
Thehouseofdreamsshouldbeaplace
Ofbeautyandromance.
Andnowitsturretscutthesky,
Itslawnsstretchfarandwide,
Thehouseofdreamsisminebutoh,
There'snotadreaminside.
WithwistfuleyestheyearsIscan
AndinmyheartIknow
Mydreamsareinthelittlehouse
Ilivedinlongago.
DreamsAndVisions
O UTOFTHEPASTTHEOLDDREAMSCAME,ANDSTOOD
Throngingthedark;andeverydreamwasgood
Secretandlovely.ClothedinborrowedLight,
Theymovedinbeautyonthefringeofnight.
Eachwasadreamofglorythathadbeen.
Ireachedfortheagerhandstotakethemin,
ButallescapednoleastonecouldIkeep:
Fordreams,thoughlovely,areformenasleep.
Outofthefuture,then,avisioncame:
Ittouchedmysleepingsoul,andbrokein ame
Alongthedark.Asfaraseyecouldsee,
Iglimpsedthewonderthatisyettobe.
Thedreamswerefair,butoh,thevisionrose,
Singleandhighmoregloriousthanthose,
Morereal,morenear.Iclaspedit,withthecry,
Withoutavision,Lord,thypeopledie!"
Drought,PartI
T HEGAUNTTREESCLOSERPRESSEDEACHHUNGRYMOUTH
Untotheearth'sdrybreast,anddaybyday,
Wastedandwornbywearyweeksofdrought,
Theleanhillsliftedfaces,ashengray,
Uptotheunrepentantsky.Thestreams
Longunreplenishedfromonhigh,hadgrown
Frailerandfeeblerthanforgottendreams,
Drygulchesyieldingonlystickandstone.
Beyondthecabindoorshesawitall,
Asonewhosees,notseeing,forherheart
Beatwithastrangenewecstacy:Asmall
Pinkbundlestirredbeneaththecoverspart
Ofherandhim;andinher owingbreast
Therewasnodroughtonlydeepjoy,sweetrest.
*AsseeninWestwardMagazine
Drought,PartII
F ROMOUTTHELONGUNANSWERINGSKIESTHERESWEPT
Remorseatlastinonebrightsilver ood.
Upfromthestartledearththeyounggreencrept.
Hill,treeandstreamdrankwonderwhereeachstood;
Threeweeksandtransformationhaditsway:
Slimsilverpencilsscribbledleafand ower
Uponanemptypage,longwasteandgray,
Leavingthedroughtahalfrememberedhour.
Withinthecabindoorshesatandstared.
Hereyes,deepcircled,borethesombrestain
Ofagony;herhungrybreastwasbared
Nightlonguntothekeencooledgeofpain.
Eventhenewmoundinthepasturesouth
Wasturninggreen.Butallherdaysweredrought.
*AsseeninWestwardMagazine
Dual
T WOWOMENDWELLWITHINMYHEART,
Togetherandalone;
Andoneismistressofherself,
Andoneof eldandstone.
My rstselfriseswiththeclock
Andpreensbeforetheglass;
Mysecond,longbeforethesun.
Makesfootprintsinthegrass.
Thehandofherwhomoldsmycharm
Workswellandtirelessly;
Mydearerselfwastesgoldenhours
Inmakingmirthforme.
Butspiteofallmy rstcando
Thelinesofagemakeway.
Whileshewhocourtsthesunandrain
Isstillasyoungasthey.
Twowomendwellwithinmyheart,
AndonebelongstoTime,
Andonebelongstowindandstar
Andbrokenthreadsofrhyme.
Andwhentheycometoburnher,
My rstwhoselifeisthrough
Alaughwillblowfromsomefarhill,
Mydear,thatwasn'tyou!"
Dust
O HDUST,WHENISURVEYTHYPOORABODE,
Beholdtheeoutcastbysomewaysideroad,
Blownonbywindsandscattereddowntheyears,
Somethingintheemyhighestselfreveres:
Ithinkwhatpartinthein niteplan
Isthinetohold.Thouarttoeveryman
TheAlphaandOmega,lastand rst:
Fromtheehe rstdrewform,andwhentheworst
Thatdeathisguiltyofhascometobe,
ThroughtheehepassestoEternity.
OhDust,eternalDust,thathathwithstood
TheblightofTime,howoftincarelessmood
Thehandofmanhathlightlydealtwiththee
Assamelaycreature;howrelentlessly
Hath ngers,busywithsomedeskorshelf.
Laidwastethepreciousatomsofthyself;
Orfeet,disdainfulofahiddenworth,
Brushedtheeasideassimpleclodsofearth!
ThusFoolsrushinwhereangelsfeartotread."
Whoknowswhatsacredashesofthedead
Intheehavesoughtrepose;whatburiedkings,
Whatfallenstatesmenspeak;whatpoetsings;
Orwhatforgottenheroes,laidtorest,
Feelliferesurgentinthequietbreast,
WheninthehallofTimesomevagrantbreeze
Disturbsthesleepingdustofcenturies
Andscattersitabroad?Alongtheway
Wetravelsoindi erently,theclay
OfShakespeareorofMiltonmaybeblown
Tointimatelyminglewithourown.
PerhapssomeportionofproudBonaparte
Livesoninthee,ohDust;orthatgreatheart
ThatsleptinLincoln'sbreast, ndslifeagain
Injustsuchcontactwiththecommonmen
Asthouartfellowto.Ohwhatatomb
Forburiedgreatnessthouhastbeen!withrocm
Tospareforcrumblingleavesandwithered owers,
Treesthathaveharboredoftthesunandshowers
Ofpassingsprings:andbitsofsplinteredstone
AllbrokenthingsinNaturehastthouknown:
Andallearthcreatures,paleandholloweyed,
Whopassindustandknownottheyhavedied.
Andwe,whoalltoothoughtlesstreadabove,
Knownotwhatsinswemaybeguiltyof,
Whatblasphemyisours,whenwedeface
ThishallowedDusttheir nalrestingplace.
DustStorm
T HEEARTH,AYELLOWWITCHGONEMAD
Withlongincessantdrouth,
Ifovesinadizzydance,andfrom
Hergaping,thirstymouth
Shebelcheswords,ashotas ame:
She ingsthemtotheair.
Drylaughtercracklesinherthroat
Andleavesbutashesthere.
Herreelingform,herscorchingwords,
Makemadnessinthesky;
Shetwists,andturns,andstabs,andstings,
Andscratchesouttheeye.
Wherearethefriendly eldsofgrass
Thesameearthwehaveknown?
Liedown,liedown,youthirstywitch,
Andleavetheskyalone!
Shedoesnothear.Shewillnotstop,
Thoughallthelanesofsky
Beclowdedwithherdustyscreams.
Thougheverybravethingdie.
Shecannotcease:shehasgonemad
Withhungerandwithheat,
Shedoesnotknowtheplaceofearth
Isunderneaththefeet.
Duty
A LONE,INTOTHEBEAUTY
Ofthecalmandholynight,
I edbeforesternDuty
Soughtrefugeindelight.
Butthegoldandsilverglory
Ofthemoonbeamsallaround
Turnedtomonstersgrimandhoary
Skirtingwildlyo'ertheground;
Andthecoldandsilentspaces,
Stretchingfaroneitherside,
Mockedmewithanhundredfaces
OftheDutyIdenied
Forthepremiseddreamofbeauty
Broughtnoswiftandsurerelease...
IwentbackandfacedmyDuty
And,returning,foundmyPeace.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
Easter
T HEWITHEREDPLANTTHATSLEEPSTHROUGHDREARYDAYS,
Beneaththefrozensod,
Dreamsofwhiteblossomsthatshallonedayrise
Andbursttheclod.
Thesilentbirdthatshiversintherain,
Uponabarrentree,
Keepsinhishearttheechoofgladnotes
Thataretobe.
Godplantswithineachsmallestslumberingseed.
Andeverycaptivestream,
Theressurectionhope,andwinterlong,
Ofthistheydream.
Thenwherefore,heart,betroubled,thoughtheyears
Inceaseless ight,growdim?
BrightistheEasterpremiseyeshallrise
CompleteinHim.
Easter1938
B ECAUSEWARSTALKSTHEEARTHANDMANSTILLBLEEDS,
Unmindfulofthegreenwayofthespring,
Lo,Iwillmakearitualofseeds.
Hereinagardenplotremembering
Notsomuchfragrance,northelongarray
Ofcolorburstinginbrightbudsuncurled,
Butbeautynineteenhundredyearsaway.
WhenOnecamebackwhobrie ylefttheworld.
Iwillrememberhowonegardenslept,
AndwoketoRessurectionandtoLife;
AndIwillplantagarden,whohavekept
Aslenderfaithtodigwith.Outofstrife
Andturmoil,Iwillturnandbreakthesod
Notjustforblocoi,butfortheSonofGod.
EasterConversation
F IRSTTUCKYOURTULIPBULBSBENEATHTHESOD.
Thenmakeaplaceforpansies.Didyouknow,
Dearlittleboy,thatnowyouworkwithGod?
Hemadeagardeninthelongago;
Hemakesallgardensyet.Noseedcansprout
WithoutHiscare.Hesendstherain,thesun:
No owerwakesandpokesitsbrightfaceout
UnlessHeguardsandcherisheseachone.
Anddidyouknowthat,whenHislovedoneschose
AplaceforJesus,afterHehaddied,
TheyfoundagardenandfromthereHerose,
That rstgladEastermorning,glori ed?
Somakeyourgarden,littleboy,eachspring:
Godgivesusgardensforremembering.
*AsseeninWarCryMagazine
EasterDawn
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the
mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they
mightcomeandanointhim.
Mark16:1
S OFTLY,SOFTLY,STEPSOSOFTLY.
Wearebentupon
Holybusiness.Bringthespices.
Sistersitisdawn.
Softly,softly,stepsosoftly.
Arewequitealone?
IremembernowtheysealedHim.
Whowillrollthestone?
Softly,softly,stepsosoftly.
See,thedooriswide!
Someonehasbeenherebeforeus.
Letusgoinside.
Softly,softly,stepsosoftly.
Whatacruelshame
Heisgone!WherehadtheylaidHim?
Someonespokemyname!
Softly,softly,stepsosoftly.
Iamreadynow.
Sisters,didyouleavewithoutme?
Master!IsitThou?
EasterLilies
H OWDEFTLYBEAUTY'SFINGERSWORK
Toburstthefrozenclod
Andliftalily'sface,isknown
TonooneelsebutGod.
Yetsomehowfromthecrumblingmold
Ofyesterday'sdecay
Isbornthevesturethattranscends
E'enSolomon'sarray.
HowHolinessstoopsdowntoburst
TheirongripofHell
Andliftasinner'sfacetoGod,
NonebuttheChristcantell.
Yetsomehowfromtheblackdespair
Thatturnsallglorydim,
Thenewman"awakenstobecome
God'srighteousnessinHim".
Emmanuel
J ACKANDREWSTHINKSASYOUANDI:
Thatpricesmustgodown,
Thatstreetsandshopsandmillionaires
Arethingsthatmakeatown.
Emmanuelwearsastrangesadsmile:
Letpricesriseorfall,
Ofthesehethinksnotifindeed
Emmanuelthinksatall.
Hehassomeverystrangenewbooks
Andreadsthemallthetime:
Hesmilestoseemen ghtforpeace,
Andshakeshisheadatcrime.
JackAndrews'thoughtsadvancetheworld;
Butwhentheycrossthebrink,
GodmayforgiveEmmanuel
Forthingshedoesnotthink.
Encore
A
TTRICKERYOFBOWANDFINGERTIPS
Wesataghast,thewhilehedeftlyplayed
TheMendelssohnConcerto;andourlips
GrewhushedwithdreamsatSchubert'sSerenade;
BachAirwaslikeacalltoholiness;
TheChopinNocturnehealingforourpain.
Andthenheplayedofin nitecaress
TheOldRefrain.
Allthatweknewofbeautycametosit
Likepeaceuponourshoulders;theslowtides
Oflongingbrimmedourvision.Bitbybit
Camebackoldsongs,oldfaces,old resides,
Camebackourmothers'lips,and,undismayed,
Weliftedours,forwewerehomeagain
Afteralong,longjourneywhenheplayed
TheOldRefrain.
Episode
Y
OUHELDOURLOVEBETWEENYOURHANDS,
Asachildholdsatoyballoon.
Breathbybreathyoublewuponit.
AndwitheachbreathIwatcheditexpand,
Full,round,perfect.
Thenfromthedepthsofyourthought,
Asachildfromthedepthsofhispockets,
Yougatheredahandfulofwords,
Sharp,cruel,relentless.
Eachwordwasalittle,brightpin
Thatyoudroveinamomentofmischeif
Intotheheartoflove
Andallthatyouhadcreated
Vanishedintotheair,
Leavingit atandugly.
Runalong,child,
Intothesunshineoflife.
Thereareotherballoons
ButIIshallnotplayagain.
Eternal
T HATNIGHTONLONEGOLGATHA'SHILL.
Whenshadowssettled,darkandstill,
Wellmightthecrowdhavechatteredon:
TheCrossremainsTheChristisgone."
Butwe,whoknowtheGodofgrace,
Canlookuponthathallowedplace
Andknowthecomfortthatsustains:
TheCrossisgonetheChristremains.
EvenSong
N OWALLTHELANDSCAPEDREAMINGLIES
AndresttoManisgiven,
Butneversleepthewinkingstars
ThosetirelesseyesofHeaven;
Allnightacrossthevaultedsky
Acountlesshosttheywander,
Orsilentglideamongsttheclouds
Andquietlydreamupyonder.
Hereinthedusk,whileallthingssleep,
Iwatchyonpalestarsglowing,
Andthoughtheshadowsfoldmeclose,
Irestcontentinknowing
ThatGodabovethecarelessworld
Anendlesswatchiskeeping
Throughlittlestarsthatblinkandgleam
Whileothereyesaresleeping.
EveningSong
L OVEISABOOKTHATWEHAVEREADTOGETHER....
Oh,donotcloseityet,thoughwellweknow
Eachdearfamiliarpage.Instormyweather
Wereaditbythefriendly relight'sglow;
WhenAprilwalkedtheworld,wereadit,drifted
Inchdeepwithpetalsnow;andwhenweheard
Thelovelylark,oureagerfaceslifted
Butbrie ytotheskynorlostoneword.
Loveisabookweshared....Oh,letuslinger
Alittlelongerwithitwhilewetrace
Rememberedbeautywitheachtoilworn nger,
Touchingagainthisthought,thistime,thisplace
Tillsleepshall ndusandweletitfall
Ratherthancloseit,saying,Thisisall."
EventideSong
A LLTHINGSTHATIHAVELOVEDINLIFEFULLWELL
Returnyoutomewhenthetwilightfalls.
Likehomingpigeonstheycomebacktotell
Howbeautywalkstheworldbeyondthesewalls
And,withit,youapartofitandmore
Thanallofit:forbeautycannotgo
Thelastlongmilelovetravelsnorexplore
Thesecretwonderwehavecometoknow.
Nortime,nordistance,northeneedfortouch,
Cannowdivideus:wehavegonebeyond
Theselimitations,whohavelovedsomuch.
Withoutaword,ahandclasptorespond,
Youcomewithtwilight,andthefadingsun.
Thisistoloveyouthisistobeone.
ExceptYeBecomeAsLittleChildren
I T'SJUSTALITTLEWAY",HESAID,
ToJesus'house,youknow,
Andnotsoverylongtowait"
Dearchild,whotoldhimso?
She'sonlyjustgoneonahead.
Andwearegoing,too;
We'llseeherupatJesus'house."
Iwonderhowheknew!
Oh,Lord,forgiveourfeeblefaith
Thatalwaysaskstosee;
AndthankTheeforalittlechild
ToleadustiptoThee.
Expectant
D OESMOTHEREARTH,IWONDER,KNOW
Whatsleepsbeneathherheart
ThroughouttheAncientMiracle
Ofwhichsheisapart?
Ordoesshealsospeculate
Andsometimeswishsheknew:
ABlackeyedSusan?Ortwoeyes
Ofbrightcorn owerblue?
Atallandsturdyhollyhock?
OrdaintyQueenAnn'slace?
Thegoldofdandelionhair?
Apansy'sbabyface?
DoesMotherEarth,Iwonderknow
Justwhattheseedwillbe
Ormustshewaithertime,asI
Withhushedexpectancy?
ExpendableForGod
L ETMEBUTBEEXPENDABLEFORGOD,
Notlongingforthetumultandthestrife.
StrongwindsobeyHiswillsodoestheclod
Thatliesinertandholdsthegermoflife.
Thissimpleclod,meredustbeneaththefeet,
AnotherSpringwillquickeninto ower.
Withlikeobediencemyheartwouldmeet
Thequietchallengeofthislonelyhour.
LetmebutrestwithinmyFather'swill
Nodoubt,noquestioning,novaindesire.
Heunderstandsitall,comegoodorill.
Thislifehasbeeninvested:Iaspire
Tonoughtbeyondthepresent'snarrowrim
OnlytobeexpendableforHim.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
Experience
S MALL,WHITELAMBINTHEFIELD.
Childinthegarden,
Hummingbirdpassing
Inswiftfantastic utter
Offrenziedwings,
Becarefulhowyouscatterit,
Thelifethatisinyou,
Capering
Running
Beatingtheairwithit.
Itoowasyoungonce,
Alongtimeago.
FaithfulAndFruitful
F AITHFULANDFRUITFULIWOULDBE
Butoh,howweakisthe esh!
HolySpirit,IcometoThee:
Touchme, llmeafresh.
Faithfulandfruitful?Whocanhope,
Alone,toreachsuchagoal?
HolySpirit,Ifalter,grope
Cleanseme,strengthen,control.
Faithfulandfruitfulonlywhen
BereftofselfIshallbe.
HolySpirit,annointmethen
Thefaith,thefruit,areofThee.
*AsseeninKingsBusinessMagazine
FallenAviator
H ECRIEDFORTHEMOONWHENABABY,
Liftinghissmallhandshigh;
Theymockedhisyoungpresumption
Andcountered,Lethimcry."
Hecriedforthemoon,andhefoundit
Onceinafar,stillplace:
Alonehelayandheldit
Allnightuponhisface.
Hecriedforthemoon,andtheymockedhim:
Doeshewhowasborntotry
Wingsforthegreatadventure
Nowcounter,Letthemcry?"
FallenStar
O UTOFHEAVENSOMETHINGFELL;
Wehavecaughtitinourwell.
Thereyouare
Rightbeneaththatsilversplash.
Why,itdidn'tevencrash!
It'sastar!
Fantasy
T HEDAYISAGIANT.
Ihaveseenhimridinguponthehill
tops,
Bootedandspurred,
Proudinthearmorofmorning.
Ihavewatchedthesunlight
Glintonhisbridleandhelmet
Makinghimgorgeousandsplendid;
Ihaveheardthehoofsofhischarger
Andthelong,longstrideoftheircoming,
Terrible,swift,relentless.
Thedayisagiant
Ridingupontheedgeoftheworld.
Thenightisalittleblackslave,
Ihaveseenhim,strickenwithterror,
Runningbeforetheday,
Helpless,bewildered:
Softisthesoundofhisgoing,
Footstepsthatsinkinthestardust,
Timid,uncertain.
Thenightisalittleblackslave
Fleeingbeforethegiant.
Andyet
Ifmorningfoundmealone
Uponahighhilltop
Uponahighhilltop
WhereIcouldheartheDay
Galloping,galloping,
Ishouldnotturntothegiant
Eyesthatwerefrightenedandpleading,
Straightinthepathofhiscoming
Ishouldstandasagrimwallstands
Andlaughinhisface.
Butif,inthehushofthetwilight,
Alittleblackslaveshouldwhisper
Softly,persistent,
Brushingmycheekwithdreams
Kinderthanhandsare,
IfIheardthroughthestretchesofsilence
Thepatteroffootstepsthatvanish,
Andfeltthebreathofthenight
Tremblinguponme.
Outofthecoverofdarkness,
Ishouldrun,Ishouldrun!
FarewellToSixtySixth
1.
WE'VEHADALOTOFHAPPINESSWITHINTHISDEAROLDSCHOOL;
Wetriedtomastermanythings,andmakeofeachatool.
Howoften,intheyearsahead,wewillturnbackandsigh
Rememberingthedaywestood,tosayourlastgoodbye.
CHORUS:
FarewelltoSixtySixth,
Wewillbetrue,
Whereverwemaygo,
We'llthinkofyou;
Whateverlifemaybring,
Onethingweknow
Thisisthegardenwhere
Welearnedtogrow.
2.Thesuncomesup,thesungoesdown;but,speedingonitsway,
Thesunisalwayshasteningtobringanotherday;
So,whetherhere,orwhetherthere,beyondthefartherhill,
Rememberwhenyouthinkofusweshallbeshiningstill.
Farewell
(D
EDICATEDTOOURPASTORANDREADBYTHEAUTHORATTHEMEETING
ofPresbyteryheldinPasadena,Tuesday,March10,1942,at
whichtimetherequestoftheRev.L.DavidCowiefordissolution
ofthepastoratebetweenhimselfandtheVermontAvenuePres
byterianChurchwasconcurred).
Heaskedustodissolvethepastorate:
Nowdidn'theknowbetterthantoask
Athinglikethatofsimplefolk?'Twouldrate
Morethanamiracleforsuchatask.
Youcan'tdissolvethetiesoflovethatbind
Apastortohispeople.Wewilllet
Himgobecauseheasksitbuthe'll nd.
Dayafterdaythatheiswithusyet.
Hetouchedourlivesandmadethembeautiful
WithChrist.Hiseverysermoncametobe
Apebbledroppedintoasilentpool,
Whoseripplesspreadtofringeeternity.
Thesearethefacts,andwhatistheretosay?
Whatisexpectedofusanyhow?
Withwordsyoucan'texplainthetruthaway
Youcan'tsay,ThisHASbeen,butisn'tnow."
Now,asforGod,HISwayisperfect:So
WhenGodiscalling,wemustallobey;
YetevenGod,whosaysthathemustgo,
Knows,inalargersense,thathemuststay.
Knows,inalargersense,thathemuststay.
Hewillbehereinyouthfuleyesthatlearned,
Throughhisclearsight,moreperfectlytosee;
Inagedforms,whosecaptivespiritsyearned
ToknowtheTruthandfounditmadethemfree!
O,youcantakeawaythewelllovedface,
Thebrilliantmind,inwhichweplacedgreatstock;
Butyoucannotdissolvetheworkofgrace
ThatbindsTHISmanforevertoTHIS ock.
Hewillbeours,whereverhemayroam,
Asseasonschange,andwheelsoftimerevolve;
Hebuilthimselfaneverlastinghome
Withinourhearts....andthatyoucan'tdissolve.
FarmAlbum:GirlAtThePastureBars
S HEDROPPEDHERHANDUPONTHEPASTUREBARS;
Brie yitlay,aslendergleamofwhite.
Isawherlifthereyesuntothestars,
Asthoughsheaskedaquestionofthenight.
Slowlyshegatheredstillnesstoherself
Andwrappeditgracefullyaboutherform....
OhIshallkeepthispictureonashelf
Ofmemoryforever:itshallwarm.
Dulldaysofdrabendeavor.Whowouldguess
Thesimpleactofdrivingcattlecould
Befraughtwithsuchexquisiteloveliness,
Orthatsomanygranderpictureswould
BetossedfromTime,replacedbythissmallone
Ayounggirldreamingwhenthedayisdone?
FarmAlbum:BoyAtTheWoodpile
H ISDOGGEDFOOTSTEPSGREWALITTLELAX
Thewhileheclimbedthehillandcrossedthe
yard;
Butwhenhegraspedthehandleoftheax
Therecameintohisbeingsomethinghard
And erce.Thelightofconquestinhiseye,
Hehowedastraightcoursetotheverycore
Ofeverylog.Iwatchedthebrightchips y
Andknewheconqueredworldsbeyondhisdoor.
Sodulltheaxbladeandsobriefhisstrength,
Itseemedbutfollytorelyonsuch.....
Andyet,howoftenIshallglimpsethelength
Ofhisgauntshadowwithme,andshalltouch
Againthisfarmboy,cuttingcleanandtrue,
Straightattheheartofwhathehadtodo.
FarmAlbum:OldManATTheWell
T HEOLDMANLETTHEBATTEREDBUCKETDOWN
Andleanedhiselbowsonthewell'scoolbrink.
Andsometherewerewhothoughthecametofrown;
Butsometherewerewhoknewhecametodrink,
Notofthiswaterbutofotherthings:
Thelazylengthofsumnershehadknown.
Starkwinters,burnishedautumns,othersprings,
Andallthesonsanddaughtersthatweregrown.
Thoughwellheknewthatanythingsosmall
Ashistinbucketcouldnotholdthehalf
Ofthoselostdreams,hewouldnotmovetillall
Remembrancewasaccomplished.....Ishallqua ,
Withallbrightwatersineachfutureplace,
Thelong,longstorywrittenonhisface.
FatherofScience
G
ALILEO,HOWCOULDYOUKNOW
Somanythings,solongago?
Aswayinglampcouldgoandcome":
Andmakeyouseeapendulum.
Fordistantstarsyourmindwouldgrope
Untilyoudreamedatelescope.
Whileotherpeoplehadtheirfun
Youfoundthesunspotsonthesun.
Andwhiletheyrattleddishandspoon,
Yousawthemountainsonthemoon.
Andallthemoonsthattravel'round
TheplanetJupiter,youfound,
Somanythings,remoteandstrange:
HowVenus'shapewouldseemtochange;
Howmanymillionstarsunite
TogivetheMilkyWayitslight.
FatherofScience,IthinkIknow
Whatmadeyouwisesolongago:
Younevercouldsitdownandwait
Yousimplymustinvestigate!
Rightnow,beyondoursightandsound,
Arewonderswaitingtobefound.
Howverymuchweneedtoday
Inquiringmindstoleadtheway.
FatherofScience,helpussee
Themanymarvelsyettobe!
Fellowship
T HENIREMEMBERHOWHETOILEDTOBRING
Hishealingministrytoallwhocame,
WhenIrecallHislonelysu ering
IndarkGethsemane,thecruelshame
Ofdeathbycruci xionthenIturn
Fromsomethinginmyselfthatalwayssighs
Foreasycomforts;thenindeedIspurn
Thepleasantpasturesandthecloudlessskies.
HowdoIdaretospeakofgainorloss.
Of imsyfavorsImighthopetowin,
WhenHehasbornetheanquishoftheCross?
DearSonofGod,sosmittenformysin!
IchoosethepathHisbleedingfeethaveknown.
HowcouldIwalkanotherroadalone?
FirstChristmas
C HOOSEAVERYTINYTREE,
Withasinglestar:
Therewasonethatothernight,
Shiningbrightandfar.
Choosealittle,woollylamb,
Withamusicbox:
Therewereshepherdsonthatnight,
Watchingover ocks.
Letitplayalullaby,
Softandsweetandmild,
SuchasMarymighthavesung
Tothesleepingchild.
ManyChristmaseswillbe
Fulloffussandfret.
Letthemwaitheissosmall:
Pleasenotyet,notyet!
*AsseeninGoodHousekeepingMagazine
FirstDayofSchool
A TLASTTHEYHAVEDEPARTED.
Whatiswrong?
ThisisthedayIprayedfor,
Sumnerlong.
Thisistheboonbymothers
Coveted,
Atimetoshout.WhydoI
Mopeinstead?
WhydoIdreamanddawdle,
Sitandstare,
Andlistenforthenoisethat
Isn'tthere?
FirstLove
O UTOFBEARHOLLOWALONECRYSTEALS,
Acrythatismovingalongonwheels,
Andgatheringvolume,toliftand out
Itselfonspace,withamightyshout.
Heknowshowthelittlefawnwilllie
Closeinthecovertwhileitgoesby;
Heknowshowthefrightenedbirdswillwheel
Overthatmassofswayingsteel.
Heknowsitall:howhisownshyheart
Willgostarkwild,andhiseyeswillsmart,
Hisheadgrowhot,andhishandsgrownumb
Butstillhemustwatchthedarkthingcome.
Inyearstobehewillmakeachoice
Ofgirslheknows,andherpatientvoice
Willalmostsuithimbutneverquite.
Whentimeisahuddleofdayandnight,
Andoutofthehollowitcomes,he'llstand,
Afoamingbucketineitherhand,
Searchingduskwithawishfulglance
Forhis rstandmaybehislastromance.
Agirl'sheartisaveryprivateplace:
Her rstloveseldomistheboynextdoor,
Thelankyonewithfrecklesonhisface,
Thoughhemayoftenthinkheis.Before
Sheknowsofhisexistence,thereisone
Towhomherheartisgiven,whowillbe
Hermeasureofaman.Sheknowsthatnone
Caneverybesobrave,orwise,ashe.
Shelovesanolderman,andallherlife
Shekeepsacomerofherheartforhim;
Andevenwhensheisalovingwife,
Ifsheshouldhearhisnamehereyesmaybrim
Withsuddentears.But,trytounderstand
Herfatherwasthe rsttoholdherhand!
Finding
T HEHOUSEOPPRESSEDWITHHEAVYWEIGHTOFGLOOM;
Morestillthanthoughtthestealthysilencecrept
Incircles'round,untilmytroubledroom
Becameaseaofemptiness.Iwept
Iweptforyou,thewordsyoumighthavesaid.
Yourfreshyounglaughter oatingontheair;
AndthenforverylonelinessI ed,
Runningintothenightwithmydespair.
Lightlyyoucameacrossthedreamingdown:
Youwerethewindthattrembledatmyface,
Youwereawhitestarbroodingonthetown,
Andyouwereseamistdriftingintospace....
LongmomentsthenIstood,norevenstirred
Holdingadreammoresweetthananyword.
FirstPussyWillow
S
TEPUPLIGHTLY,
Stillandquick!
Springhasfastened
Onastick.
Wearingstill
Herwinterhood,
Springhascrept
Intothewood.
Inherlittle
Furryblouse,
Creptussoftly
Asamouse.
Nowbeside
Thefrozenstream
Softgraygarments
Swayandgleam.
Naturemagic,
Whatatrick!
Springhasfastened
Onastick.
*AsseeninSunMagazine
Flight
I
HAVECOMEHOMETOSTAYWITHYOUAGAIN,
Whohavebeengonealong,longjourneying:
Walkingwithweepingaldersintherain,
Chasingabutter yongustywing;
Ihaveclimbedmountainpeaks,whereshiningcrags
Beckonedwithsunlight,Ihavedippedtheface
Deeplyintotheheartofpurple ags
Liningarockpoolinsomesecretplace;
ThereweregreencountrylanesthatIwentdown,
Wherewildgrapetangledwiththesnowyplum.
Ihavebeengonealongwhilefromthistown,
Oh,longenoughforyoutowakeandthumb
Fivepagesthrough,anddozeagainforme
Tospreadthecloth,lightcandlesforourtea.
ForAll..Christmas...Forever
O FOLDAWHITESTARLEDTHEWAY
TowherethelittleChristChildlay.
Thegreentreeisthesymbolnow
Ofallthestarmeant:Everybough
Towhichthebrightadornmentscling
Isweightedwithremembering.
Thechildrenoftheworldallstand,
Eachholdingtipanemptyhand....
Feelingtheneedofsomethingfar,
Secret,andshining,asastar:
Somethingtoreachforandtopress
Againstthishourofloneliness.
O,GodofChristmas,Godoflove,
Whostoopedtoearthfromheavenabove,
Bepleasedtobendaboveourtree
Andlight,anew,foralltosee,
ThestarofFaiththatshallrecall
Christmasforever.....andforall.
*AsseeninWarCryMagazine
ForAYoungChristian
T HEREISMAGICINTHEMOONLIGHT.
Thereiswonderinthewhy
Thatthemorninggildsthehilltops
Withthepromiseoftheday;
Thereisgloryinagarden
Whenthedawnhasjustbegun
Andthesunbeamsallaresifted
Likerosepetals,onebyone.
Butthereisnoearthlysplendor
Thatcaneverquitecompare
Withayieldedyounglifeshowing
ThatthehandofGodisthere.
ForestSilence
B ENEATHTHEPEACEOFFORESTSANCTITY
Thehillsliesilentasforgottentombs,
Asleepincalmandgravesolemnity.
Nolearnedlipspronouncingancientdooms
Mayhereintrude,noranyecho nd
Itswayalongthesehallswherelatehath ed
Theshysoftfootstepsoftheforestwind.
Herebroodsthequietoftheburieddead.
Andhereisholiness,remoteandrare
Ashiddenwingsthatpassandthenarestill,
Ittouchestreesandhoversintheair
TillBeautywalksuponeachsleepinghill.
Andsilenceinsofrailamoldiscast,
IfearIfearthewondercannotlast!
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
ForestTwilight
D ONOTSPEAKTOMENOW.
Donotmove:
Somethingstirsinthebough
Above,
Somethingcreepsthroughthebrush;
Donotstart:
Letusstandinthehush,
Apart;
Letuswaitforthesound
Toincrease,
Movingclosetotheground,
Andcease.
Letushear,throughthedark,
Littlefeet
Scratchingclawsonthebark,
Retreat.
Donotspeaktomelest
Weshouldmiss
Something.Daywasaquest
Forthis.
FourYearOld
W HENSHEWALKSSHEDOESNOTWALK
Asthegrownupsdo:
Musictwitchesathertoes,
Laughterliftshershoe.
Liftsitupandputsitdown
Twinkleswiftasrain,
Liftsitupandrunswithit
Andputsitdownagain.
Sheislikeabutter y
Dancinginthesun,
Whenshewalksshecannotwalk
Herfeetmustskipandrun.
Frames
T HATLOVELINESSMAYBEENCOMPASSED,MAN,
Withartistryofthought,devisedtheframe
Toholdapicture.Butabetterplan
Mywindowgivesme:heretheverysame
Enclosureframestwopictures,forIsee
Outsidetodayasidewalksplashedwithrain,
Awildwetworld;butwholooksinatme
Seeswarmthandcomfortthroughthewindowpane.
Loveisaframe,reversiblelikethis,
ThroughityoulookatmeandIatyou.
Ifforyoufallsdiscouragement,dismiss
Thethought,Beloved,raiseyoureyes,lookthrough
Thewindowframeofloveand ndaplace
Ofpeaceandshelterinmyliftedface.
Freedom
T ODAYWETOOKOURHUNGERTOTHEHILLS,
Ourleanhearthungerthat,forBeauty'ssake,
Hadbornethroughcrowdeddaysanhundredills,
Butdurstnolonger.Lestourspiritsbreak"
Isaid,Beloved,letusleaveitall,
Laughinthesunandforonehourbe
Tallasthetopmosthillweclimbistall,
Freeforamomentasthewindisfree."
Awondermetuswherethetreesbegan
AndIwasPippaplayingwithasong,
TheshepherdDavidyouorwasitPan?
Whatmatter?Inthathour,allwelong
Toknowwecaptured,allourhungercraves.
Weshallgobacktotoilbutnotasslaves.
*AsseeninAccHeraldMagazine
FriendshipGarden
S HELINGERSALONEINTHETWILIGHT
And ngerstheroseswithpride,
ForthisisherGardenofFriendship
Shecallsitherbeautyoutside."
Butwe,whohaveknownherandlovedher,
Aresurethatnorosecouldbegin,
Forsweetnessandgraceofdemeanor,
Tocomparewithherbeautywithin.
Thebeautyofpatienceandcourage.
Triumphant,whateverthetest;
Thebeautyofhumblesubmission,
AcknowledgingGod'swayisbest.
ItoohaveaGardenofFriendship
Where ourish,sostraightandsotall,
ThebravestI'veknownamongwomen
Butsheovertowersthanall.
Fruition
L IKEWORNOLDWOMENWITHTHEIRBEARINGOVER
Thefallow eldsdreamalldayinthesun;
Nomoretheystirtowhispersintheclover,
Nomoretheyswaywhereripenedripplesrun
Alongthewheat.Thoughhillscomedowntomeetthem
Beyondthefence,withtalkoftrees,theyseem
Toliftnosinglegrassbladeuptogreetthem,
Butlieinlazylengths,contenttodream.
Soreststheheartthathasknownlove'sfruition:
Untouchedbychange,unmovedbycircumstance.
Beyonddesire.Secureintheposition
That,afteralllife'sfeverandromance,
Thereyetaredreams,contentmentcleanandsweet:
Theharvestgatheredandthetaskcomplete.
Fugitive
M YTHOUGHTSARELONEGULLSFLYINGFAR
Acrossawintersea;
Asafeshorelinewheresnugnestsare
Isnotforme.
Mythoughtsarelonegullsbornealong
Outthroughatroublednight,
Thecadenceoftheirwingsasong;
Abluroflight.
Icannotcallmylonethoughtsback
Tosmugsecurity;
Thecoctmondays,thebeatentrack,
Arenotforme.
*AsseeninTheVermonterMagazine
GarmentOfPraise
L IKETOAWAMOUTGARMENT,CASTASIDE,
Frcmoftmyhearttheheavyspiritfell,
As,movingthroughthedarkness,farandwide,
Arisingtideofsongbegantoswell.
Songaftersongcamecrowdingtobeheard,
Tillheavinesswaslostisecstasy
Andallearth'sfacesvanishedandwereblurred
InoneFace,strangelybeautifultosee.
Forallthesongsareonesong,andtheface
IsoneFaceonly,whenthehearthasknown
ThematchlessChristandHisredeeminggrace.
Therecannotbeanother:Healone
Movesonthefringeofallournightsanddays
AndclothesuswiththegramentofHispraise.
*AsseeninKing'sBusinessMagazine
Gates
I HAVEGONETHROUGHALIFETIMEOFGATESOPENWIDE
Andgatesthatwerehardtoundo,
ButIonlyremember,whennightsettleddown.
ThegatethatIneverwentthrough.
Thegatesthatwalkedintogreen eldsIforget
Andthosethatunveiledoceansblue,
ButIalwayskeepwonderingwhatlaybeyond
ThegatethatIneverwentthrough.
Perhapslittledreamsthathavediedwouldhavelived
Andmaybethefalsewouldbetrue,
Andagemightbeyouthifmyhandhadunlocked
ThegatethatIneverwentthrough.
GiftForChristmas
W
HATCANIGIVETOMENWHOSEEMPTYEYES
TroublemythinkingatthisChristmastide?
Lordmakemehumble,loving,strongandwise,
ThatImaygivethemChrist,thecruci ed.
Letmenotchoosethelessergiftsofearth,
Thatpassindustandarefutility:
Lord,atthissacredseasonofThybirth,
LeadmefromgivingthingstogivingThee.
WhatcanIgivetoThee,ohGod,above?
(ThereissolittlethatourGodcouldneed)
Andyet,inallmydreams,ThyheartofLove
Iswoundedstill:Iseeitbreakandbleed
Withnaughttostaunchthe owexceptIbring
Someransomedsoul,calledhomefromwandering.
GiveMeSomeMountains
G
IVEMESOMEMOUNTAINS,FORMYHEARTISWEARY
Of eldandfence,ofhousesinarow,
Ofgrayrainfallingdesolateanddreary,
Ofnakedtreesetcheddarkagainstthesnow.
Givemesomemountains,farandhighandsplendid,
Somelittlehillstosnuggleattheirfeet:
Whendawnisbreakingandthelongnightended
Givemeaplacewhereearthandheavenmeet.
Givemesomemountains,thisisalltoolittle:
Thelevelland,theneatconcentriclives.
Withpiestobake,withstickstocarveandwhittle.
Dayafterdaythelonelyspiritstrives
To tthepatternbutthesetearsbelieit.
Givemesomereachingup,somestrengthtotryit.
God'sAfterwardAndNow
G OD'SAFTERWARDHOWSWEETITIS
ToknowHeholdsmyhand,
Andsomeday,inHisafterward,
Thisheartwillunderstand!
Thisheartwillknowwhytearsmustfall,
Asraindropsdrenchtheearth,
Whywinteralwaysmustprecede
Thespringtime'sgladsomebirth.
God'safterwardwillbereplete
Withjoyforeverypain,
Likemorningcomingafternight,
Orsunshineafterrain.
IthankHimforHisafterward,
IngratitudeIbow;
ButIcanwait1amcontent
ToknowHeholdsmenow.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
GodComfortYou
G ODCOMFORTYOU,THATYOUMAYCOMFORTTHOSE
Whoknowlikesorrowwhenyourtearsaredried.
ThereisnoheartbreakbuttheSaviorknows:
Heunderstandsandcares.Nofaithistried
Beyonditsmeasure.Asthefallingrain
Reclothesthebarrenbough,somayyourgrief
Reachoutbeyondthesharp,thinedgeofpain
To ndthebud,theblossomandtheleaf.
Godcomfortyou,thatallyouryearsmaybring
Richharvesttoasorrowladenworld.
Withinyourheart,wherenowthebrighttearscling;
Theseedofsomethingwonderfulliescurled:
Compassion's owerfortheoneswhomay
Walk,inthefuture,whereyouwalktoday.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
GodGaveHisSon
G ODGAVEHISSONANDWEMUSTGIVEHIMTOO.
Thoughcarolssoundfromeverycrowded
store,
Thoughchimesringoutalongtheavenue
Andeveryheartseemslighter,thereismore:
ThisisnotChristmasthatwehearandfeel,
Thissuddenglowthatcomestoeveryone:
Theseasoncanbeonlyvital,real,
BecauseGodlovedandgaveHisonlySon.
Godloved,andwemustlovethetroubledthrong:
Lookdeepwithintheirheartsandseetheirneed
Ofsomethingmorethanatmosphere,thansong;
Ofsomethinglarger,even,thanacreed.
ThisisthetaskthatChristianshavetodo.
GodgaveHisSonandwemustgiveHimtoo.
*AsseeninMoodyMonthlyMagazine
God'sGifts
G ODGAVEUSEARS,BECAUSETHEREWOULDBEMUSIC:
Greatsymphoniesofwindandsea,andsmall
Brightbirdnotesfalling,instrumentsandvoices;
Hegaveusearsthatwemighthearthemall.
Godgaveuseyes,becausetherewouldbebeauty:
Brownsummer elds,allgreenandtendersprings,
Fall'spageantryandwinter'slongwhitesilence;
Hegaveuseyestolookuponthesethings.
Godgaveushands,becausetherewouldbelabor:
Smallsimpletasks,andgreatambitiousschemes
Wroughtoutinsteel,ormarble,oroncanvas;
Hegaveushandswithwhichtoshapeourdreams.
Godgaveushearts,becausetherewouldbelonging
TosharewiththosearoundandHimabove,
Thebeautyandthemusicandthelabor.
Hegaveusheartsbecausetherewouldbelove.
*AsseeninWarCryMagazine
GodKeepsAPearTree
A LLTHROUGHTHELONG,DARK,DREARYDAYS,THESAME
Monotonousdrablandscapemetmyview
Beyondthewindowpane,untiltherecame
Apeartreesuddenly.AndthenIknew
Howwinterlongitwasforthis,forthis,
Thewindowwaited,con dentandsure,
Toframethisglory,toreceivethiskiss
Ofpetalsdrifting,delicateandpure.
Godkeepsapeartreeforearth'sdarkesthour,
Somewhere,somewherebeyondthetimeofloss,
Itswhiteful llmentfragilelyin ower.
Godkeepsapeartreejusttoliftandtoss
Itsghostlybranches,justtostandandbless
Withpeaceandcomfortallthecomfortless.
*AsseeninOregonianMagazine
GodIsCallingYou
1.FROMLIFE'SCONFLICTANDCONFUSION,
Godiscallingyou:
Earthlydreamsarebutdelusion,
Godiscallingyou;
ThroughtheworldofHisdesigning,
Bythestarsforevershining,
Inthedarkcloud'ssilverlining,
Godiscallingyou.
CHORUS:
Godiscalling,Godiscalling.
Throughthedarknessofthenight
HearHisgentlyaccentsfalling;
CometoChrist,whoistheLight."
ByHislove,thatknowsnomeasure,
Toalifecompletelynew,
ToanEverlastingTreasure
Godiscalling,callingyou.
Fromyoursiningandyoursorrow,
Godiscallingyou;
Toabeautifultomorrow,
Godiscallingyou.
2.Outoftrialsthatsurroundyou,
Fromtheproblemsthatconfoundyou,
ByHiswondersallaroundyou,
Godiscallingyou.
Godiscallingyou.
Tothegloryofredemption
Godiscallingyou:
OnyourlifeHehaspreemption,
Godiscallingyou.
EverythinginHiscreation
Nowawaitsthatconsummation
TothebeautyofSalvation,
Godiscallingyou.
God'sGateofLove
1.GODCOMESTOTHOSEWHONEEDHIMMOST,
He llstheheartthattrustsHisgrace
Forallthelonely,andthelost,
AtCalvaryGodmadeaplace.
CHORUS:
AtCalvary,whereJesusdied,
God'sgateoflovestandsopenwide;
Nowall,whotrust,fromsinarefree
GoddriesalltearsatCalvary.
2.WhenshadowsfallGodwaitstobless,
WhenstormsariseHesays,Bestill!"
Weepnotforalllife'semptiness:
TheclutteredheartHecannot ll.
3.Whencloudsengulfandskiesaregray,
GodholdsthesunshineinHishands:
ChrististheLight,theTruth,theWay,
OhcometoHimHeunderstands.
GodLovesYou
W HENYOUTHINKTHATALLISLOST,
Godlovesyou:
Hehasproveditatsuchcosts,
Godlovesyou.
JesusleftHishomeonhigh,
CametoearththatHemightdie
Hewillneverpassyouby:
Godlovesyou,Godlovesyou!
ForyoursaketheSaviordied,
Godlovesyou;
Heaven'sgateisopenwide,
Godlovesyou.
ByHisgraceallthingsarenew,
Thereisnothinglefttodo
Christhasdoneitallforyou:
Godlovesyou,Godlovesyou!
Thoughyoursoulbestainedwithsin,
Godlovesyou;
Jesusdiedyoursoultowin,
Godlovesyou,
CometoHim,ohdonotwait,
Lesttanorrowbetoolate
Sinner,donothesitate:
Godlovesyou,Godlovesyou.
God'sLove
1.HOWEVERDARKTHENIGHTMAYBE,
ThereisaLightfromCalvary.
ALightthatshinesaround,above,
TheLightofGod'seternallove.
CHORUS:
TheloveofGodislikeastar,
Itshinesonyoujustwhereyouare;
Thedarkestnightcannoterase
TheloveofGod,norchangeHisgrace.
2.Whenearthlyloveshaveceasedtobe,
Whentimebecomeseternity.
Morefreshandpurethanmorningdew,
TheloveofGodwillstillbenew.
3.Thoughlostinsin,thoughclothedwithshame,
ItwasforyoutheSaviorcame:
Howeverfaryourfeetmayroam,
TheloveofGodstillcallsyouhome.
4.Canyouignore,canyouneglect,
Canyoudeny,canyoureject,
TheLightthatshinesfromonedarkHill,
TheLightthatsays,Godlovesyoustill?
God'sTreasure
1.GODHASATREASURE,BOUNDLESSINMEASURE,
Hewantstogiveitaway:
Christhasrevealedit,God'sSpiritsealedit
Won'tyouacceptittoday?
CHORUS:
Won'tyoutaketheTreasure,
Won'tyoumakeityours?
ChristtheLordiswaiting,
GentlyHeimplores;
2.Angelsupinheaven
Lookwithlongingtoo
Whentheystartrejoicing,
Letitbeforyou!
3.Jesus,bydying,endedourtrying,
NowwearesavedbyHisgrace:
Allwhobelieveit,gladlyreceiveit,
OnedaymaylookonHisface.
4.Allthroughtheagesonethemeengages
Saintsinthegloryabove:
Anthemsareswelling,constantlytelling
OnlyofChristandHislove.
GodWithUs
I
NTHECARPENTERSHOPOFJOSEPH
Therewasmorethanthebrighttools
made;
SometimesaSonginthesilence,
OraLightwheretheyoungLadplayed.
InthehomeofMaryandMartha
Therewasmorethantheguestwhocame:
SometimesaVoiceinthedarkness,
Oroutoftheshadow,Flame.
InthejudgementhallofPilate
Therewasmorethanamanforsooth:
TherewasaPeaceandaPresence
AndtheAnswertoWhatistruth?"
*AsseeninKing'sBusinessMagazine
GodUnderstands
G ODSEESTHEWAY
Myfeetmustroam,
Heknowstheday
Ishallgohome.
Whenshadowsfall
I'lltrustHisgrace:
Godknowsitall
OnedayI'llseeHisface.
Godunderstands
Whatistobe,
WithinHishands
Heholdsthekey.
Whenlifeshallend
I'lltrustHisgrace:
Godismyfriend
OnedayI'llseeHisface.
Godneverfails:
Whendaygrowsdark
He'llsetthesails,
He'llguidethebark.
WhenIexplore
Thewholeofgrace
I'llasknomore
ThanjusttoseeHisface.
GoYeIntoAllTheWorld
Andhesaiduntothem,Castthenetontherightsideoftheship,
andyeshall nd.Theycasttherefore,andnowtheywerenotableto
drawitforthemultitudeof shes.
John21:6
H OWMANYMILLIONSALIENTOGRACE,
Willpassintoalosteternity,
Thewhilewe shintheaccustomedplace!
Launchout,launchoutintothefarthersea!
Theoftrepeatedmessagescarcelywakes
Thelazylisteners,whodoseandnod
Whilecountlessnumbersperishforwhosesakes
TheSaviourdied.GivethemtheWordofGod!
ForGodsolovedtheworld."Notjustthefew
Whobygoodfortunehavethechancetohear
Inquietchurchandcomfortablepew
Thestory,weekbyweek,andyearbyyear.
Christ'sgreatcommissionisthesimplecall,
GoYe."TheGospelisforall,forall.
*AsseeninKing'sBusinessMagazine
GoYouth,GetWisdom
S PEED,WINGEDHOURS,ANDHASTENTHATFARDAY
WhenwrinkledTimeshallburdenuswithage:
We inchnotyouthissweet,butallitsway
Isbuttheprefacetothatgreaterpage
Wheresoon,(howsoon!)tousshallberevealed
ThemysteriesofLife.Wemaynotguess
Whattruths,whatgoldenwisdomslieconcealed
Behindtheyearsthatfringeyouth'shappiness.
Speed,wingedhours,andifthefuturebring
Toomuchofpain,toolittleoftheold
Wildjoythat rstweknew,remembering
Iscomfortoftenwhenthebestistold;
Andwisdomshallbeours;andweshalltrade
Realityfordreamsthatcannotfade.
*AsseeninHeraldMagazine
Grandmothers,TeachThemTheWord
T IMOTHY,TIMOTHY,WHENYOUWERETHREE
DidGrandmotherLoistakeyouonherknee?
DidGrandmotherLoislookintoyourface,
Andwasshethe rstonetospeakofHisgrace?
Andwasshethe rstonetotellwhyHecame,
The rstonetoteachyoutolispoutHisname?
The rstonetoteachyouthatthosewhoreceive
MistcarrytheGospel,thatallmaybelieve?
Grandmothers,Grandmothers,teachthemtheWord,
Thattoday'slittleTimothysmightknowtheLord!
Gratitude
F ORPOPLARSLIFTEDTOTHESUN
Andsilver anked,
Forslowbudsburstingonebyone,
Forjoyunleasedanddreamsbegun.
NowGodbethanked.
Formoonlightdriftingfromtheplace
Ofcloudshighbanked,
Toshowachasteandlovelyface;
Formorningdewandcobweblace,
NowGodbethanked.
WhenIamshortongratitude,
Andhardtoplease
Withccomoncomforts,dailyfood,
Lord,sendwhitedaybreakthroughthewood
I'monmyknees.
Forpoplars,liftedtothesun
Andsilver anked,
Forslowbudsburstingonebyone,
Forjoyunleashedanddreamsbegun,
NowGodbethanked.
Formoonlight,driftingfromtheplace
Ofcloudshighbanked,
Toshowachasteandlovelyface;
Toshowachasteandlovelyface;
Formorningdewandcobweblace,
NowGodbethanked.
WhenIamshortongratitude,
Andhardtoplease
Withcommoncomforts,dailyfood,
Lordsendwhitedaybreakthroughawood
I'monmyknees.
GrayLady(TheRedCrossworker)
S HEDOESNOTSINGOFBEAUTYNOW:HERDAYS
Havegrowntoofullofcountlessministries.
Analien,downdearrememberedways,
Shewalksasonewhoneitherhearsnorsees
Themeadowlark,thecleanslantofthesail,
Thevagrantpetaldriftingwiththewind;
Nolongerluredbyeverywindingtrail.
Shedoesnotsingofbeauty:Buthertouch
Isfullofallthebeautyshehasknown,
Lightwinds,coolraindrops;thefeveredclutch
Feeblyathertomakeherpeacetheirown.
Andsometherearewhomisshersongs;butsome
Whoknowsheneednotsing.......Shehasbecome.
GreatMindInTheCrowd
T HESILENTISOLATIONOFGREATPEAKS
Wassuddenlyuponuswhenyou
Strollingintoourconmondaysandweeks.
Wecouldhavecopedwithbrilliance,butourshame
Wasnakedatyoursilence.Youcouldsay
Morewordsthanwehadthoughtof,butyoustood
Remoteandletoursmallmindshavetheirway,
Andsmiled,nodoubt,toseewethoughttheycould.
Youwereasnearasvoicesandatouch,
Ascloseas relight;yetyouwereasfar
Assomegreaticeberginthefrozenclutch
Ofthatlongnightbeneaththepolarstar.
Fleshofour esh,ofboneandbrawnourkind,
Butalienforeverinthemind.
Greatness
T HEREISAGREATNESSTHATISNOTACHIEVED.....
Athingapartfromanygloriousdeed.......
Itisthegreatnessofbraveheartsthatbleed,
Yetwearasmileforhumanwrongsreceived;
Thegreatnessofoldtreesthatlonglonghavegrieved
O'ertooforgetfulleavestheirrootsmustfeed,
Yetmakenomurmurtothegossipweed
Butcasttheirshadethatmanmayberelieved.
Thegreatnessofendeavorcomesorgoes
Byconsciouse ort.Hereissomethingmore:
Aquietgreatnessthatjustgrowsandgrows,
Root,stalkandbranch,outoftheverycore
Oflife.Andhewhowearsitneverknows
Hehasthethingmostmenaresearchingfor.
GreatThoughtsYouWearyMe
G REATTHOUGHTSYOUWEARYME,
Digni edandstem,
Cominginyourrobesofstate,
Urgingmetolearn.
Seriousandscholarly,
Grayheadsinarow;
Greatthoughtsyouwearyme.
Youwearymeso!
Ihaveneedoflittlethoughts,
Intimateandkind:
Footstepsofdepartingleaves,
Laughterofthewind,
Shywhite ngersoftherain
Creepingthroughmyhair,
Andthebreathofwakingbuds
Andblossomsintheair.
Ihavebeensolongfromthese,
Aprisonerwithbooks.
AlmostIdoforgetthestars
Andhowarobinlooks!
GreatthoughtsIcannotstay;
Thereisthatinme
Whichthirststotastetheseafog'slips,
Whichhungersforatree!
Iamtiredofbeingwise;
Letmeriseandgo
Tothosewholittleknowledgehave
Andlittleneedtoknow.
GriefCameToMeSmiling
G RIEFCAMETOBEWEEPING,
Ipitiedandyet
Themomentshepassedme
Myheartcouldforget.
Griefcametomesmiling,
Socarelessandwise,
Butfathomsdeeplingered
Thepaininhereyes.
Andalwaysithauntsme,
ForeverIsee
Themakeofasmilewhere
Asorrowshouldbe.
*AsseeninSunMagazine
GrowOldAlongWithMe
F EELINGALITTLEOLD,DEAR?
Reallyyoushouldn'tmind:
Eventhoughyearsaretough,dear,
Uncle"isalwayskind:
Juststickaroundawhile,dear,
Managetostayalive
Therewillbedoubleexemption
Whenyouaresixty ve.
Feelingalittleolder,
Darling,butIdon'tcare:
Whatthoughtheroadisrough,dear?
Uncle"isalwaysfair:
Wehavehissolemnpromise,
(Whyshouldourheartsbeblue?)
Youcanmakeallyouwant,kids,
Afteryou'reseventytwo."
Chorus:
Whyshouldwecryaboutit?
Surelyitcouldbeworse:
Changeintheyearsbeforeus
Meanschangeinouremptypurse.
Lingeralittlelonger,
Thenitwillallcometrue
Whenyouare veandsixty
AndIamseventytwo.
*AsseeninRecordedVanityRecordsMagazine
Gumdrops
T HEHOPEFULHEARTEDLITTLEMISS
Withdrewonefromthesack,
Andthoughshelongedforlicorice,
Shedidnotputitback.
Thehatedgreenthinginherhand,
Sheturnedfromnorthtosouth,
Butaftereverysidewasscanned,
Sheploppeditinhermouth.
Tooyoungtosettheworldon re
Withsingingorwithsums,
Sheyethadlearnedtocurbdesire
Andtakelifeasitcomes.
HaveFaithInGod
I MMOVABLEASMOUNTAINS,"MENWILLSAY
AndyetourGodsays,Faiththesizeofone
Snailmustardseed"willbeenoughtosway
Amountain,ifwesaytoit,Begone."
NoonebutGodcouldissuesuchcommands:
He,only,holdsthekeytocertainty;
Andyet,heplacesitwithinourhands
Withjustthesesimplewords,BelieveinMe."
Blotoutthestars,erasetheoceans,thrust
Theuniverseasideonethingendures:
TheWordofGod.Inthattheheartcantrust.
HavefaithinGod.HisblessedBookassures
Thefaithfulthattoaskistoreceive;
Notoneisturnedawaywhowillbelieve.
*AsseeninTimeofSingingMagazine
HayCockHouse
1.DOYOURANANBERTHEHAYCOCKHOUSE
WebuiltontheHannibalFarm,
WhenyouwereeightandIwassix?
Youfellandbrokeyourarm
Jumpingo fromitschimneytop".
Welivedthereforaweek,
Withcowsforfriends,anddustforfood,
Andyourcheekonmycheek.
CHORUS:
Oh,thehaycockhouse,
Thehaycockhouse,
Downbythebarbedwirefence
Weshookstrawoutofourearsfordays....
Wehadn'tabitofsense!
2.Doyourememberthehaycockhouse
Webuiltontheedgeofthemart,
Calledlife,whenyouandIweregrown?
Ifellandbrokemyheart.
Jumpingo fromitstalldesire.
Welivedthereyearsandyears,
Withworktodoandjoytoshare,
Andyourtears,andmytears.
CHORUS:
Oh,thehaycockhouse.
Thehaycockhouse!
Thehaycockhouse!
Lovecountsnoconsequence:
Weshakedreamsoutofouroldheartsstill
Wehaven'tabitofsense!
HeHoldsMyHand
H ETOOKMYHAND,WHENIWASLOSTINSINNING.
HetookmyhandwithinHisnailpierced
own;
EachdaywithChristisnowafreshbeginning,
HeholdsmyhandIwalknomorealone.
Chorus:
Heholdsmyhand,theSaviorholdsmyhand,
HeholdsmylifeandallthedreamsIplanned;
IwalkbesideHimtoafairerland,
SinceChrist,theblessedSavior,holdsmyhand.
HeholdsmyhandwhenIamburdened,weary,
Heholdsmyhandandgivesmepeaceandrest;
NodaywithHimisdesolateordreary:
Heholdsmyhand;IknowHiswayisbest.
HeholdsmyhandwhenIamdeepinsorrow,
Heholdsmyhandandwipesmytearsaway;
ItrustHisgraceforeverydarktomorrow
IknowthatHewillleadmealltheway.
HeJustSaid
H EDIDNOTTAKEOFTHISORTHAT
Tomaketheearthandsea,
Theconstellationsofthestars......
Hejustsaid,Lettherebe."
Hedidnotsunmonrodandlash
ToexecuteHiswill:
Whentempeststossedatinyship,
Hejustsaid,Peace,bestill."
WhenthosewhoshouldhaveknownHimbest
Releasedastartledcry,
Hedidnotturntomiracles,
Hejustsaid,ItisI."
HisItisI,"andLettherebe,"
Haveneverpassedaway.
ToknowHeis,toknowHecan,
Areallweneedtoday.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
HighwaytoGod
T HEHIGHWAYSOFTHEWORLDARESTRAIGHTANDBROAD,
Butcrowdedwithconfusionandwithstrife.
Choosewisely,soul:ThehighwaytoourGod
Leadspastthewellspringofeternallife.
Thesignpostsoftheworldmayleadastray,
Thepro tsthattheypremiseprovebutloss;
Buthewho ndstheLife,theTruth,theWay,
NeedonlyheedthesignpostoftheCross.
Thehighwaysoftheworldareallablaze
Withneonlights.God'shighwayhasbutone:
Su cientlightforallearth'snightsanddays
Theheartcan ndinGod'sbelovedSon.
AndbythatLight,downlittlelanesoflove,
Theheartcanmovetohealtheworld'sdistress;
Untilatlast,inGod'sgreathomeabove,
WedwellwithHim,whoisourrighteousness.
*AsseeninWorldOutlookMagazine
HowNice!
N OWJESUSHADAMOTHER
WhenHewasverywee
Amotherwhowashuman
SothatmakesHimlikeme!
Nomatterwhatshelookedlike
Tall,short,orplump,orslim
IknowthatJesuslovedher,
SothatmakesmelikeHim!
HownicetobelikeJesus
Alongthispilgrimway;
Hownicetoloveourmothers,
Andtellthemsotoday!
Harvest
Theharvesttrulyisplenteous,butthelaborersarefew."Mathew
9:37
unde ned
T HEMELLOWLIGHTNOWLINGERSONTHELAND:
Itisthetwilighttime.Thegoldengrain
Liesstackedandready;andthecomshocksstand
Likesentinelsagainstthecomingrain;
Onwitheredvinesthepumpkinsloosetheirhold:
Ashiverinthecomstalksseemstotell
Thatwinter'shandsnowreachforsunnier'sgold.
Thisistheearth'sbrightyield.Oh,guarditwell.
Itisthetwilighttimeinother elds.
Nowripeuntothehardest.SendtheWord:
Forwintercomes;andnight.Thepresentyields
EternalincreasethesemustknowtheLord.
Looktothelost.Letnoughtobsseureyourview:
The eldsarewhitethelaborersarefew.
*AsseeninWorldOutlookMagazine
HarvestEvening
A GAINSTTHEBAMHEPILESTHEPUMPKINSHIGH.
Sofraughtwithlabor,
Heleavesthegoldenpumpkininthesky
Untohisneighbor.
Besidethesinkshestands,andsiftsandstirs.
Sobusybaking
Whenallthesugarcookystarsarehers
Forjustthetaking.
Thenightgoesbyinglory.Lostincares,
Theymissitsbeauty.
Theharvestofindi erenceistheirs;
Anddustandduty.
Heart,BuildAFire
H EART,BUILDAFIREAGAINSTTHENIGHT.
Againstthetimeofchill,
Whenwinterwoodsstandstarkandwhite,
Whenearthiscoldandstill.
Heart,builda reandfeedit'well,
Far,soonerthanitseems,
Ageleavesuswithahollowshell
Ofempty,broken,dreams.
Heart,builda reofloveandfaith
Againstthetimeofstorm:
Whenallthingsvanish,justthewraith
Ofthesewillkeepuswarm.
HaveFaithinGod
I
one
MMOVABLEASMOUNTAINS,"MENWILLSAY
AndyetourGodsays,Faiththesizeof
Snailmustardseed:willbeenoughtosway
Amountain,ifwesaytoit,Begone."
NoonebutGodcouldissuesuchcommands:
He,only,holdsthekeytocertainty;
Andyet,heplacesitwithinourhands
Withjustthesesimplewords,BelieveinMe."
Blotoutthestars,erasetheoceans,thrust
Theuniverseasideonethingendures:
TheWordofGod.Inthattheheartcantrust.
HavefaithinGod.HisblessedBookassures
Thefaithfulthattoaskistoreceive;
Notoneisturnedawaywhowillbelieve.
*AsseeninTimeofSingingMagazine
He'sComingAgain
T HELORDISSOONCOMING,WITHSHOUTFROMONHIGH
Thosewhobelievewillneverdie!
AcceptHimasSaviourandjoinHimabove,
TheKingoftheKingdomofLove.
REFRAIN:
He'scomingagain,inthecloudsoftheair,
ForthosewhohavefaithtoreceiveHim:
Hetoldofadaywhenwe'11meetHimupthere
Ohwonderfulday!IbelieveHim!
Anddeepinmyheartthereisplantedasong,
Thatechoesallday,thoughthewaymaybelong:
He'scomingagain.He'scaningagain,
He'scomingagain,myLordJesus!"
Thetrumpetshallsoundandthedeadshallarise
Theywhobelieved,theywhowerewise!
Thenwewhoremainwillbecaughtupwiththan.,
TomeetwithLordoftheskies.
TheGreatTribulationtodaymaybegin:
Kingdomswillfall,lifewillbegrim;
Ohwhywillyoulinger?Repentofyoursin
AndspendyourforeverwithHim!
Thoughshadowsmaylengthenandmidnightdescend,
Donotlosefaith,lifewillnotend:
MakereadytomeetHimtheGroomwillsooncome
TotakeHisbelovedBridehome!
HePasses
H EPASSES.LETTHEVOICEOFSONGBEHUSHED
Alittletime.Withinthesaddenedheart
Letonlydreamsofmusicthathebrushed
Fromstrings,nowsilent,wakeagainandstart;
Bringtothisplacenoverbalo ering
Ofmelody.Themasterplaysnomore:
Laydownthebow,Lifeisabrokenstring
Andsilence ttingtributeatDeath'sdoor.
Hepasses.Foratimebestill.......Andthen
Fromhandsthatlearnedofhimtowieldthebow,
Lettherebesong,andinthelivesofmen
Lettherebestrengththathislifetaughttogrow;
Letusgoforwardfrcmtheplaceoftears
Tocarrybeautydownthetroubledyears.
(InlovingmemoryofChristiaanTimmner,MasterMusician)
HeWhoCreates
W ITHINHISHEARTTHEREISALONELYPLACE
Whereevenlovedarenotintrude:likesome
Palestarthat oatsupontherimofspace,
Remoteandunapproachable.Therecome
Tothisstillplacenotenderword,notouch,
Nosharedrememberings,nodreamdiscussed.
Thoughtwomayloveandlong,howevermuch,
Oneentersherealonebecausehemust.
Besidethedeepandlimpidpoolofthought
Onestoops,alone,andkneels;andtakesaway
Theword,thesong,thetruththatmustbetaught
Theburningbeautyforthecommonday.
Noneothergoeswithhim,norgreat,norsmall.
Butwhathebringsawayhebringsforall.
HidingPlace
T HEQUICKTEARSFELL,CLOSEPRESSEDTHELAURELBOUGHS.
Coolwastheearthuntoachild'shotface:
WithsmallhandsclenchedIsobbed,Ohlittlehouse
Shutinbyleaves,youaremyhidingplace."
Thereoften,freshfrompunishment,Icame
And ungmyself,facedown,uponthefern,
Buriedtheeyestohidemyweepings'shame,
Learningthe rsthardtruthsachildmustlearn.
OhHeart,wherecanwerunforhidingnow
Frompryingeyes,wheresobthelonegriefout?
Nolittleleafleanslow,nolaurelbough
Stoopsdowntoscreen.Thesecitywallsarestout,
Butoh,theycannotshutman'ssecretills
Awayfrompitysgazethattakesthehills.
HillsHaveNoEnvy
H ILLSHAVENOENVY,NOTTHESHADOWEDPEACE
Ofquietvalleys,northeblueexpanse
Ofsunlitwaterswoosthem,nowildgeese
Wingingthetracklessheavensforromance.
Hillshavebeensettoolong'twixtearthandsky
Toknowdesire;theiryearsofgamering
Haveyieldedsatisfaction:forthetie
Thatbindscontentmentinremembering.
Hillshavenoenvy.Thoughthebruntofstorms
Agelongtheybear,thishighthoughtliftsthemup,
Runslikea rethroughalltheirbeing,warms
Theircon denceandmakesabrimmingcup
Ofbarrenyears:since rstthedawnofTime
Hillshavebeenman'sencouragementtoclimb.
*AsseeninNewYorkAmericanMagazine
HisFace
ForGod,whocommandedthelighttoshineoutofdarkness,hath
shinedinourhearts,togivethelightoftheknowledgeoftheglory
ofGodinthefaceofJesusChrist.
IICorinthians4:6
W HENONCE,UPONLIFE'SPATHWAY,
ThefaceofChristappears,
Howlittleallourlaughter,
Howtransientallourtears!
Thethingswethoughtimportant
Areonlyfragmentsblown
Tovanishinthedistance.
WhenoncetheLordisknown.
Howtawdryisearth'stinsel!
WhenJesustakesHisplace,
Theendofallseeking
IswritteninoneFace.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
HowMuchMoreGod
M ANSPENDSHISSTRENGTHONGRAINTEANDONSTEEL.
Hebuildshisstructuresreachingforthesky.
Abovetheirpunypretense,quitealone,
Thetimelessmountainsstandaloofandhigh.
Manwriteshisnameinsymphonyandsong,
Alongthepathwherewearymortalsplod
Heseeksarticulation.Thereremains
MoremusicinthesilencesofGod.
Manbreaksthealabasterofhisheart.
Butallthepreciousointment,sacri ced
Tovoicehishumanlove,islostbeside
God'slove,unspeakable,inJesusChrist.
*AsseeninChristianityTodayMagazine
HowShallISayIt?
H OWSHALLISAYILOVEHIMTHISPROUDMAN
Whocompassesmymomentsandmydays?
IfIcouldsingasonlypoetscan.
ThenmightIstrikesomeloftynoteofpraise
Tovoicethewonder,Yet,withinmyheart
SometimesIhearawhisper,sweetandsmall,
Hechoseyouonthatdaythatsawlovestart,
Becauseyouwereawoman rstofall".
SoIwillsayitinawoman'sway:
Brightjonquilsonthetable,lemonpie,
Hisslippersbythe re.Theseshallsay
Iloveyou,loveyou,loveyou."Icoulddie
Withjoytoshowhim,butinsteadIlive
Tobehiswomanandtogiveandgive.
*AsseeninRadioClubMagazine
HospitalMemories
I HAVEREMEMBEREDNIGHTSOFWINTERRAIN.
Graydawnsofmistsmokerisingfromahill,
Andthroughtheselatterdaysofwearypain
ThesethatIlovedhaveforti edmywill;
Beautyofhawthorn,dewysweetatmorn,
Touchoftheseawind,stingingsharpandkind,
Glintofthesunriseona eldofcorn
BecauseoftheseIstillmaykeepmymind.
Icanlookoutondaysthatfollowdays
Graygarbedandlonelydownthatcorridor,
Andfacethenewwithneitherblamenorpraise,
Becausewithinthevast,unmeasuredstore
Ofmemory'swealthmysoulcan ndagain
Mistofthedawnandfragranceoftherain.
*Asseenin*RadioMagazine
HungryHawk
I NCIRCLEDFLIGHTHEMOUNTSUPTOTHESKY
Andrests,asonewhowaitsuponastair;
Thensuddenly,andswifterthantheeye.
Comesslidingdownthebanisterofair.
Nopleasurecruiseishis,noidlewhim
Tostretchthewingsandlightly oataway;
Thisisdarkbusiness,sinisterandgrim:
Hetakestheairthathemighttaketheprey.
Myheartislikeahungryhawkin ight,
Myheartislikealonelysearchingbird;
Itscansthedarkandlistensthroughthenight,
Eagertopounceuponyourwhisperedword.
Myheartislikealonelyhawkin ight,
Myheartsknowshungerlikethesearchingbird's
Itscansthedarkandlistensthroughthenight,
Eagertopounceuponrememberedwords.
HymnofPeace
S PIRITOFLOVEANDLIGHT
Shinethroughearth'stroubled
night,
Healourdistress.
Con ictandfearsabound,
Grossdarknessallaround
OnlyinTheeisfound
Powertobless.
SpiritofGodforgive
Ourerringways,andlive
Ineverysoul;
Thatman'sextremity,
MostHolyOne,maybe
God'sopportunity
Totakecontrol.
Spiritoflightandlove,
Comelikeagentledove,
Onwingsofpeace.
Entertheheartofman:
OnlyThypresencecan
Ful llGod'srighteousplan
Thatwarsmaycease.
KnittingSongForAnOldWoman
O VERANDUNDER.
That'showitgoes;
WhatIamthinking
Nobodyknows.
Makingasweater,
That'salltheysee:
Overandunder
One,twoandthree.
Overandunder,
Backthroughtheyears,
VoicesthatIhear
Nobodyhears.
Tendstoherknitting",
That'salltheysay.
Nobodyguesses
Howcouldthey,pray?
Howcouldtheyknowthat
One,twoandthree,
Ismorethanasweater,
Morethantheysee?
1forethansomepiecework,
Outinthesun,
Toanoldwoman
Whoseworkisdone.
Outofhermemories
Highonashelf.
Lifeisthesweater
Sheknitsforherself.
Loveistheneedle,
Anddreamsarethewool,
Withwhichanoldwoman
Makesagebeautiful.
TeaTime
I HAVECOMETOSEETIMINGS
Lovelierthanrhyme.
Timetosettheteathings
Whatahappytime!
Timetosettheteathings:
Roundandroundwego;
WillIeverbethings
Inlife'slittleshow?
WillIeverbethings
Inagownofsilk?
Timetosettheteathings:
Butter,sugar,milk.
Timetosettheteathings
Notasonnetdone!
Daddyandtheweethings,
Though,arelotsoffun.
Daddyandtheweethings,
Whatagrouptomiss!
Ihavesettheteathings,
Often,thinkingthis.
Ihavesettheteathings
Withaheartsofull
Ihavecometoseethings
Plain,arebeautiful.
MixingBowl
L IGHTARETHEWORDSTHATTHEMANORYTURNS
Deepinthebowloflife,
Lightastheeggsthatmybeaterwhips,
Butdeartotheheartofawife.
Sweetisthelovethatismixedwiththan,
Sweetasthesugarcrushed
Hereinmyyellowmixingbowl
Lovethatcannotbehushed.
Fineisthefaiththatwillstandthetest.
Sunnyorstormyweather
Fineasthe ourIsiftinnow,
Bindingitalltogether.
InTimesLikeThese
S OUL,TAKEYOUREASE,"INPRAISEOFIDLENESS
Onemanexclaimedanddrewhisknickers
on
Intimesofeconomicstormandstress
Onelearnsalotofgolftwixtdawnanddawn,
Tomorrowmaybringbackthedailygrind
Thisisthehourofopportunities.
Soul,takeyourease,theroadtopleasure nd
Onehastheleisureinsuchtimesasthese."
Anothercried:Soul, ndabookandsteep
Yourselfinlearningstriveagainsttheday
Whenstrongmenmaybeneeded;study,keep
Onestepahead."ThesethingsIheardtwosay.
Notfromtheeast",where nishedisthetest.
Comethpromotion,neitherfromthewest."
LastLeaves
I TFALLS....WEEP,HEART,BUTKNOWYOURTEARSAREVAIN
Thetrees'greenspringisbutacrimsonstain:
Longsince,thelarkhispartingsonghassung,
Thelastrosefaded;butwhileyetthereclung
Oneleafuntothebranchtheheartcouldsing
Butnowitfalls.Weep,Heart,weepfortheSpring.
Weepforthepromisemade.
Weepforthevowsunpaid.
Weepforthehopesdiminished,
Weepandwhenyouhave nished,
Leancloseyourtearstainedfacetoearthandhear,
Sweeterthanmusicfallingontheear,
Heranswer:NotaSpring,forgotten,lies
Infallenleaves;forwhenthelastleafdies,
God'shandsmostwiselycrushit,bitbybit,
BackintodustandmakenewSpringsofit."
ItfallsWeep,Heart,butnotatearavails
Tocallthelonedreambackthelastdreamfails:
Laughterandlovehaveleftlife'sladenbough
Longsince.Withonlydreamsforcomfort,now
Thelastdreamfallsandwithersinthegrass.
WeepHeart,thatbeautyfails,thatdreamsmustpass,
Weepforthestrickenways,
Weepfortheemptydays,
Weepforthedoubtsthathover,
Weepand,whenweepingover.
Leancloseandhearyourownheartgiveyouback
Wisdomenoughto lllifes'littlelack:
Nodreamislost:thehopethatbadeyoulift
YourfacetodreamsisGod'sunfailinggift.
Inotherlivesandlovesthedreamendures
Notlessitselfbecausenolongeryours."
HomeThoughtsAtSea
A LLDAY,ACROSSTHEBLUEBROWOFTHESEA,
Traillivesofcreamyfoam,
Liftedinsuddenlight,havebeentome
Ahawthornhedgeathome
Insuchaway,onSpringnights,movestheurge
Tobeautyinbetween
Hedgerowsandbreaks,atlast,awhiteningsurge
Ofblossomsonthegreen
Insuchaway,andyetmoreintimate.
Moredear,thestillfoamlies,
Thatiswhitefragrancebythegardengate.
Andgloryintheeyes.
Thefabricisnotlightlytomapart
Ofwhicholddreamsareknit,
When,still,ahawthornhedgecanstabmyheart
Justtoremanberit.
Quarrel
A LLTHATCANBEBURIEDLETUSBURY
Faroutofsight:
YoucansmileagainandI'llbemerry.
Thismuchisright.
Whatwecouldn'thaveweneverhopedfor",
Thisbeourcry.
Youcanleavebehindthethingswegropedfor,
AndsocanI.
Yes:And,Heart,beforewedroptheshovel,
Turningtorun,
Lifewillmergeintoadrearyhovel,
Losttothesun.
Lifewillbeahousewhoseeveryrafter
Echoesyourtread;
Youwillstart,atdusk,tohearmylaughter
Backfromthedead.
Allthatcanbeburiedyes,but,lover,
Hereisthefoil:
Wehaveerredagain:Youcannotcover
Loveupwithsoil.
RiverSongs
I WINDYWILLOW
Windywillow,inthesun
Liftedhigh,
Youareripplesonapool
Madeofsky:
Youhavesilverwaterspeech
Inyourslinderarms,thatreach
Hither,yonder.Theybeseech
Likeacry.
Windywillow,bythelight
Ofthemoon,
Youareechoesofanold
Rivertune:
Youhavechorusesoffrogs,
Watersloppingfallenlogs,
Andthelongcooldripoffogs,
Inyourcroon.
Windywillow,rivertaught
Youwouldbe
IfImetyouinapark,
Suddenly:
Moretheliftingandthelull
Ofbrightwatersdeepandfull,
Moretheslowstillriverpull.
Thanatree.
IIRedwingedBlackbirds
Breathlessontheriversbrink
Onecanonlystandanddrink
Deeply,thirstily,ofthem:
Blackbirdsonarushe'sstem.
Glossyblackandshininggreen,
Withthescarlettouchbetween:
Hereiscolorthatde es
Allattempttoanalyze.
Blackbirdsonarushe'sstem!
Ihavetouchedthegarmentshem
Offul llment.Icanclutch
Allofbeautyinthismuch.
IIIRiverTwilight
Dayisacoveyofsunbeams
Caughtintheoldertrees;
Nightisahardenedhunter
Crouchinguponhisknees.
Everthesilencedeepens,
Evertheshadowsfall;
Theeveningstarisabirddog
Waitingthehuntingcall.
Woundedwing,inthewater
Beatitto ecksoffoam:
Lightgoesoutontheriver
Run,littlebirds,runhome.
IVBlueInterval
Thishasbeenanazuremoment
Utteredshyly,inthreewords:
Brightblueskyanddeepbluewater,
Andtheblue,bluewingsofbirds
Wingsofberonsliftinglightly,
Slowlyattheriversedge,
Inacurveofbeautybinding
Skyandwaterlikeapledge.
Lifewillgivemebackthismoment,
Byallwaters:Ishallstart,
Suddenly,tofeelthebeating
Ofbluewingsagainstmyheart.
SupperSong
O HNEVERISETOUTTHEEVENINGMEAL
Orscatterthefoodabout,
ButIthink,howlifeisatablecloth
Andloveisthefeastspreadout.
Howoneisseatedateitherend,
Andloveisthemealbetween,
Wheretwomaynibbleawholelifelong
Andshareinthefatandthelean.
Andwhethertheydineonthefoodoffaith
Ordrinkofthecupofcare,
Ithinkhowtwo,tothejourney'send,
Rejoiceinthissimplefare.
Forthoughtheymayhunger,littleormuch
Theyknowthatthemealsu ces,
Whereloveisthedailybutterandbread
Andloveisthesugarandspices.
SoneverIsetouttheeveningmeal,
ButsoftlytoOneabove
Iwhisperthanksforthetablecloth
Oflifeandthefeastoflove.
SweepingSong
I NTHELOADEDDUSTPAN,
JustbeforeIspillit,
Letmesee,besidestrash,
Whatthereisto llit.
Ihavesweptupcourage
Withthisslendertoken
Takenfromthewindow
Fragilemothwingsbroken.
Ihavesweptupwisdom
Fallenfromthefetters
Ofabook,inthispage
Withitsyellowletters.
Ihavesweptdownpatience,
Inthesilverleaving
Ofanoldgrayspider
Busywithherweaving.
Ihavesweptambition
Outinlittlepieces
Whereachild'shandsfolded:
Paperinwhitecreases.
Singasongofcleaning:
Sweepingisapleasure
Little,dirtydustpan
Youarefulloftreasure!
TheSlewStarsCame
T HESLEWSTARSCAMETHISEVENING,ANDTHEIRSHINING
Isnotaradiance,butstillwhitewords
Heardsomewhileandremembered,starting,humming,
Alovesongintheheart,Likehoningbirds,
Wingstiltedtothesunset,dipping,drifting,
Theslowstarscomeandleanabovethehills;
Theircomingiswhite ngersreaching,lifting
Thedrabdaysdisappointmentsandit'sills.
Theslowstarscamethisevening.Allthatbattered
Thequickselfpityandthestemregret,
Seansuddenlymorevaguethanshadowssmothered
Bytheswiftjoythatthereisbeautyyet.
Thatthereisbeauty,highaboveregretting,
NowGodbethankedforstarsandforforgetting.
TwoMarried:TheHeights
D
OYOUREMEMBERHOWWECAMETHATDAY,
Breathlesswithlove,untoahillandstood,
Mylipsathirsttodrinkthewineofplay,
BeforeImustful llmywomanhood?
Yourhandonminewassuddensecret re,
Itpromisedwonder,fearandecstasy;
Ourdreamswerehighandwhiteasstars,yeahigher
Theywerethehopeofthingsweshallnotsee.
Doyourecallhow,evengoingdown,
Ourspiritsseemedtosoar?Theduskthatcame
Andhungacoldgraysilenceonthetown,
Foruswasleapinggloryanda ame.
Youdrewmeclose,yourhandscaressedmyhead;
AndAllourdaysshallbeasthis,"yousaid.
TwoMarried:Descent
S
OMETIMESTHATPROMISEDGLORYHAUNTSMYSLEEP,
Whoalldaylongindullmonotony
Traversewithyouthecommondaysandkeep
Thesteadypaceyourfootstepssetforme.
Abovethedeadlylevelofourlives,
Somewhere,Iknow,areotherheightstoclimb;
Butallthelittletasksofhusbands,wives,
Forbidthequestwenomorehavethetime.
Ifear,Ifearsometimeswhennightsarestill,
Thatsomethinginmyheartwillriseandbreak.
Idarenotlooktoolonguponahill,
Orthinkonbeauty,sleepingorawake
Lestyoushould ndmesometempestuousJune,
Cryingmymadwhitehungertothemoon.
TwoMarried:Flight
A LLNIGHTBETWEENMYDREAMSTHETHOUGHTOFYOU
Wasdaybreakfallingfromagreengoldtree,
Wasbeautymirroredinadropofdew.
Itwokeanold,oldurge;ittroubledme.
SomewhilebeforethedawnIleftyourbed,
Norboundthesoftconfusionofmyhair,
MorestillthansilencefromyoursideI ed
You,dreamingofadesk,aneasychair.
TheworldwaswakingwonderwhereIran,
Graypoolsofshadowleaptbeneathmyfeet;
Andatthedawn'sedge,wherethewoodsbegan,
Ifoundyouwaiting,eagerandmostsweet
Yourlaughtersunlight,andthewindyourkiss.
LonginthewoodsIdrankrememberedbliss.
Certainties
M YHEARTISYOUNGTHEBREATHOFBLOWINGTREES
IsmorethanallthewisdomIhaveknown.
HowshallIhedgemyselfwithcertainties:
Adinnergong,themail,atelephome?
HowshallImoveamongthesecommonthings
Anddecentlyobservemyhouseholdrites,
Whenloveiscalling,callingforitswings,
Whenallmyheartisthirstingfortheheights?
Whenwearedust,thesedailytaskswillmove
Aswellwithoutus.Dear,howsoon,howsoon
Wehaveforgottenwhatitistolove!
Themoon,thatwashighhope,isjustthemoon,
Thestarsarestars;nowonderstirsatree.
Andlifeitselfisonemorecertainty.
MyGifts
ONGYEARSIWROUGHTUPONMYLITTLEGIFTS;
Thencameandknockedatyourhalfopendoor
Timitandtremulous.Yousmiledatme
AndbademeenterIcouldasknomore
KneelingbesideyouIunwrappedmygifts
Unfoldingeachthatyoumightlookandsee:
SweetInnocence,andFaith,andHope,andTrust,
AndLoyaltytoTruth,andModesty.
Andoverallandcompassingtherest,
ALoveashighandholyasthestars:
BuildedofYouth'sdivinestdreams,
TheGreatOneDreamallthesewereyours.
Youtookeachgiftupinyoursmoothwhitehands,
And ngereditamomentasachild
Mightplaywithsomenewtoythengrowingtired,
Youtossedeachinthecornerthereandsmiled.
Oh!youwerekindyoucalledmegoodlynames,
Youlookedintomyeyesandbademestay;
ButI,whobuildedalluponmydreams,
Musttakemylittlegiftsandgoaway.
Ishallnotseekanotheraltarshrine
OnwhichtolaythegiftsImadeforyou:
Icouldnotgivethemnowtosomeoneelse
Mychildishdreamsthatneverwillcometrue.
Butthere'saquietplaceoutinthewoods,
Whereallnightlongthesadwindscomeandplay;
ThereIshallgoanddigalittlegrave
Beneaththetreesandlaymygiftsaway.
Thekindlyleaveswillwhisperoverme,
Thelonelystarswillwatchmefromabove;
AndIshallcomeawayagain,content
TopityyouOyou,whocannotlove.
DawnandDawn
D AWNANDAFLUSHOFCRIMSON
Heraldsthecomingsun;
Somewherealarkischanting
Hismorningrequiem.
Dawnandamistofsilver
Wrapseverybladeandleaf;
Myloneheartkeepsrepeating
Theburdenofitsgrief.
*AsseeninOutWestMagazine;June,1920,Vol.LXXVNo.6
SEALOVER
I MAYNOTSLEEPASOTHERSDOWHENNIGHT
Letsdownthequietcurtainofherdreams
Farinthelavishsplendorofthelight
Themadmoonsquandersfromherhoardofbeams
Onewaits,andallhissilenceisaprayer,
Astill,whiteprayerthatmountstosomethinghigher,
Andburstsatlast,afullcry,ontheair
Therising oodtideofhisyoungdesire.
Itistheseamylover.Fromafar
Hecomestodeckmybeauty:moonsoftpearls
Are ungaboutmyneck,asilverstar
Burnsformyhair,andlightlyheunfurls
Foldafterfoldofgraychi on,mistspun.
Istoop,IyieldBeloved,Iamwon!
*AsseeninTheLyricWestMagazine;Vol.IINo.IV,August1922
THEREISNOWORD
W HITECLIFFSWHEREFORAMOMENTSTARLIGHTGLEAMS,
Grayoceanebbingtoasoundnotheard,
Andsilversanddunesburdenedwiththeirdreams,
Arethingstoobeautifulforanyword.
Thereisalanguagethatmaysinginpart
Thegraceandwonderoftheseabyday:
Bright ecksoffoam,bluewavesthatleapandstart,
Andmadcapwindsthatturnthefoamtospray.
Butwhoshalldaretoutterwiththelips
Abeautyliketothis;forhereiswrought
Ofmoonlightandofmistawebthatslips
Toosubtlyintoplaceandspeechiscaught....
Acrossthegrayseascapethethought iesfar
Butlipsaresilentasthewhitecli sare.
*AsseeninTheLyricWestMagazine;Vol.IINo.IV,August1922