Poems

I thought I was a good transparency. My needs were amply met.

Cut through cables of self-will anchoring To earth, with trenchant stroke of gratitude. Spread faith's ardent wing And thrust Through cloud-ceiling Of fear to higher altitude Of quiet trust And wait on God; resting In Truth, as birds rest, poised in space, Borne on unseen currents, Upward surging.

I cannot draw a circle Around my little sphere And say, "An evil far away Cannot affect me here. " Effect of evil, near or far, Lies in acceptance of it.

Yesterday I wrapped almost-discovery In remote colors, Tied it with conservative string And threw it far from me. But why? Discovery, So pearl deep, star high! Discovery Needs courage to clasp its hand.

Unless I listen, can I ever know The road that I should take, The way to go? Steadfast in law and gospel, humble, meek. With courage and with joy Your heavenly way I seek.

Help me to let Thy will be done, O God. Help me to learn the lessons of each day And see the true unfoldment of Thy plan.

The planting of the Lord is sure: Love's evergreen is everywhere. The leaves of healing never fail, for Love enriches and makes whole.

The eye may misconstrue the distant hills; A finger tip may not tell gold from brass, Nor ear alone distinguish friend from foe, And so the world's confusion comes to pass. But by our inward ear Truth's voice is heard, And spiritual vision apprehends The universal loveliness of Love.

The calm apprentice days of youth had reached Their harvest hours when Jesus turned his face From Nazareth, where prophecy was preached To skeptic thought. His mighty arts of grace And truth demanded wider latitude Of receptivity in which to bloom.

We read of hate and fear and cruelty. I must confess, it seemed to penetrate.