Poems

On the dark waves of troubled Galilee A small ship tossed, its oarsmen wearied, tense; When, lo, across the water's turbulence The Master neared them, walking on the sea With loving reassurance. Suddenly Their thoughts, so closely with the storm allied, Were stilled and comforted; the angry tide And boisterous winds grew calm at his decree.

Dear one, it is not love that makes you grieve And look with longing toward the silent tomb, But earthly shadows blind your tearful eyes And hide a loved one in sepulchral gloom. Oh, look again, look up, and see the Christ; See him transcendently in glory shine— Death vanquished, sorrow ended, Love embracing Every precious child in Life divine.

" Resist the devil," Truth thy sword; Count not the cost, seek no reward; Nor sheathe that sword till things debased Are from the bruised world effaced.

Today , brave hearts must sentinel Dark, desolated desert sands, Or on far shores patrol the seas, Or wing the skies of foreign lands. Look for the morning, valiant ones; God's omnipresence brings surcease From tired hope and, with the dawn, Will light your somber thoughts with peace.

Truth's armies fight to banish evil, safeguard freedom, bring a lasting peace. But such a peace does not prevail when guns are still and mortal combats cease Until all nations turn to God, love Him, and know no other, And each man learns to know and love his fellow man as brother.

I Traveled , too, the long Damascus road And let my anger smolder as I strode. Hate and distrust of Love misunderstood Long separated me from God and good Until I heard my Master's voice and saw The bright fulfillment of God's holy law.

What reason you among yourselves The while you walk with hearts immersed in gloom? Through mists of time come still those gentle words To those who mourn the crucifixion and the tomb. Oh, fools and slow of heart, he said, Ought not Christ thus to enter his own glory? But down the years from dull mankind is hid The joyous import of that wondrous story.

Not by dreaming, but by knowing, Is high happiness attained. Then why not dream when sapphire skies, Swept clean by western winds, Hold promise of bright treasure— Why must we know, and why not dream? Because your dreaming is the yielding To temptation's claim that good is far off, Not yet yours, may never be.

" Be still, and know that I am God. " What blessed assurance flows Into the quietened consciousness Which hears, responds, and knows That invitation comes from Him Who heeds the sparrow's fall, Who numbers, now, your every hair, Replies before you call.

Forever is a long word which will show The wide skies that no earthly vault can know. Forever is a true word to unclasp Bounties no carnal mind can grasp.