Poems

Beautiful gate, swung wide in welcome, Barring no stranger, open for all, Offering to everyone peace-filled asylum, Rest for the weary ones, ease from the gall Yoke-worn by burdens needlessly carried; Here at thy portal we now let these fall. Beautiful gate, too long had we tarried, Stopped by the baggage we're fearful to lose, Standing without, hoping still that in matter Ease might be found and the peace we would choose.

" And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch," And it was winter. Was it the calendar's winter or the heart's? Was it just that summer's warmth had been withdrawn, That the golden blessing of the sun had ceased to shine Upon them? Was it just that the sedge had withered from the lake And no birds sang? The Jews had asked him: If thou be the Christ, Tell us plainly.

With courage born of deep humility you came to Simon's house, Where Jesus, as the honored guest, reclined upon a couch Partaking of meat with Simon and his friends. You must have known how stern and rigid was the law With women of your kind; That none dared seek admittance to such a noble place.

How can I turn to Love and pray for needs, outlined, exact? Have I not learned man's need is spiritual? But rather may I ask all-knowing Mind, "What is it that I need?" An angel thought reminding me of patience, grace, Is as before, in answer to my prayer. Are motives pure? Is self held back, that service may be first In faithful, fearless ways? For true it is, the need For human self to be evangelized, and freed.

Two years old And under: Had Herod's decision, Taunting the skies, Taken hold, What call, They ask us— And we wonder— Had come to Paul; What vision Had caught his eyes, At Damascus?

I thank Thee, Father-Mother God, That one with need to know, Clear-seeing, strong, Threw off the shackles of a mortal self And stood, her courage born of Love divine, With Thee .

Paul prayed; he lifted up his heart in faith To the true God, whom he had come to know, The God whose goodness called him from his dream Of hatred in religion's name to serve The very Christ whom he had so despised. He prayed that there might be removed from him The thorn which seemed a torment to his flesh, Not for mere selfish ease, but that he might Give surer proof of his discipleship.

Drawn to the Word, we come from our schools and our workshops, From our factories and our houses, from the noise of our busy week; From our work—or from our search for work—we are gathered, Knowing Him we seek. We have come to the Father, gratefully trusting His message, Quiet with expectancy, clad in obedience and rest.

Look up and give the Father gratitude, O mortal! Why be dissatisfied, afraid, and full of sorrow? The good is present now which comes through heaven's portal, Divine Love waits not for the coming of tomorrow! Is it for joys long past or future's hope you yearn? Perhaps companionship of one no longer near? The joy He gives us knows no going or return; The Father-Mother's love unceasingly is here! Then know the seeming discord is a lifeless dream; And courage, faith, and understanding must be tried. But see! The day is bright with Truth's eternal beam.

When Noah sent a dove out of the ark to see if the floods of waters were assuaged which covered all the earth, the dove returned to him. And he stayed— with what patience— "yet other seven days," and yet another, till the dove returned no more— and then he knew the waters were assuaged.