Poems

If all the love that ever mothers knew In every country from the start of time. And every tenderness of friend to friend In every continent and every age, And all the good man ever showed to man, Noted or unobserved—if all that love Were heaped in one immeasurable thought Beyond the reach of mortals, yet that love, With all its warmth, its gentleness and power, Would be a grain of mustard to the Love That rules the stars and makes the lily fair, Reigns through all space and fills the humble heart, One boundless source of all that cumulate good.

Not in the earthquake or the flame, The wracking wind, or violence, came The voice of Truth—omnipotence. But in the stillness and the calm, Omniscient quietude—the balm Of Love's supernal evidence.

Only five loaves you say? And only two fishes? Poor blinded eye! Whence came the five and two? Numerals of mortal mind— No substance there. Now look beyond the numerals.

Reluctant prophet! "Ah, Lord God, behold I cannot speak. " Shrinking from the call and the burden, Sensitive, hesitant; weak? Ah, no! How many before the vision have questioned, Why me? And thought to fly to the wilderness seeking A refuge in matter; but he— In his growing perception of Love as the Father of all— Could he stay, Or forbear to go forth with the Word of the Lord, Though the way Passed through scorn and derision of those who heard not, Would not see? Imprisoned and beaten: a failure? Alone? Ah, not he! For the love of the Father he taught And the presence of God Were the consciousness where he abode, Lit the way that he trod.

Serene the early morning hour, Calm with the strength of hidden power. All sense of yesterday grows dim, Tomorrow ever rests with Him, But now at dawn profound, deep peace Enfolds this promise: Love's increase.

Of all the many reasons For seeking Truth, this one Is patently the noblest: For love of Truth alone. Not for the hope of heaven, Not for the fear of hell, But for the love of Truth itself— Truth, the ineffable!

Great peace have they who know the Father's law; They have no other thought than to obey, Assured a blessing follows each command. Great peace have they.

When , graciously, My heart began to learn that Justice is kind, and merciful, And whole, Those who had distressed my soul Began, at once, to pay their debt, And both their needs and mine Were met.

Steadfast the evening star— May I as steadfast be, Strongly, yet gently, gleaming far Over a restless sea. Unmoved the mountain rock— May I as unmoved be When mortal sense's angry shock Would shake my trust in Thee.

When vision dims, sees not the sun, Knows not God's day with Truth begun Because a cloud mist hangs between, Let Love gild with a golden beam, O doubting one; thy world make fair. Look higher than earth's mist or air: Look where no storm or cloud can be, Where God's own sun shines through to thee.