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ALifetimeinVerse

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:

Young eshistenderandyoung eshissweet.


Whiteinthemoonlight,theirbaredfangsareravaging
Everyhushedheartinthecottageorstreet.

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

Ofyonder eldmouse,inmyheart's eldone


Smallcovertdreamblinksalldayatthesun..

*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

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be


joyous....nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
righteousnessuntothemwhichareexercisedthereby.
Hebrews12:11

G OD'SAFTERWARDHOWSWEETITIS

ToknowHeholdsmyhand,
Andsomeday,inHisafterward,
Thisheartwillunderstand!

Thisheartwillknowwhytearsmustfall,
Asraindropsdrenchtheearth,
Whywinteralwaysmustprecede
Thespringtime'sgladsomebirth.

God'safterwardwillbereplete
Withjoyforeverypain,
Likemorningcomingafternight,
Orsunshineafterrain.

IthankHimforHisafterward,
IngratitudeIbow;
ButIcanwait1amcontent
ToknowHeholdsmenow.
*AsseeninSundaySchoolTimesMagazine
GodComfortYou

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to


comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith
weourselvesarecomfortedofGod.
IICorinthians1:4

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

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee,


whichdwelt rstinthygrandmother,Lois..."IITimothy1:5
unde ned

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.

Man ingshisfeeble uttersintospace


Andprideshimselfonprogressandonchange.
Thesilentstars,eternitiesaway,
Maintaintheirsecretorbsremoteandstrange.

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

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