Poems

All gates, fire-burned, old wall but scattered stone, Gave entry to those men who would despoil. But Nehemiah prayed, then planned alone To mend the breach.

The wind howls through the trees as the gale snaps the branches and flings them to the ground. Under the threatening clouds, yet high, high above the earthbound rage and tumult a lone gray gull hovers, motionless, supported by an unseen power.

I saw myself saying to one in need, "Don't let your heart become discouraged. " A pleasant panacea.

The barest tree can always be remembered green. The darkest night of deepest fear gives way to light.

Asleep I rouse and reach to find the light (in dark confines of mortal belief) (stirred by my need of God) (beyond the senses' self) (never doubting) (of His presence) dispelling dream-shadows of sentence and trial, revealing the innocence of His child, defining creation's identity as God-made, deathless, strong and free. No more darkness, no more night, abide when a dream has taken flight! —only eternal dawn breaking, met by a joyful heart waking! MARY MARTIN ODELL.

My comings and goings have ended, and I can now abide. It has been a hard journey under harsh suns and through many winters.

Windblown weather-beaten timberline trees steadfast in the face of gales. The stronger the winds, the firmer the roots— like those dauntless we have known who have shown unyielding faith in God's sure governance.

God-inspired thought Floods consciousness Like mountain rivulets, Once solitary cascades, now hands-joined, Amassed on beckoning plain. It fills all the hungry crevices, Pours its burgeoning plenty into sun-starved caves, Sweeps away wrinkled dust-hummocks, Livens weary ravines frowning in the shade, Plumbs desperate buried solitudes.

Does it always seem like "NO"? No time No money No, you're not well enough Not old enough No, you're just too old A steady, down-pulling, heart-wearying negative drone? Just listen, we'll listen together, we can hear—instead of "NO"—"yes. " It's there deep inside quietly waiting waiting to be released, attended to, expected, welcomed.

One angel, Love's whisper— A message most gentle— Outnumbers mass error. One angel is ample.