POEMS
STEWARDSHIP.
|
What can I do for Thee, Almighty God, Whose breath can wake, whose voice can calm, the sea? Should I endeavor, with this striving brain, Which, in its striving, errs, and, erring, turns, And, fearful, flies from its appointed field— With these weak hands, that blindly grope along The road of Truth to higher things, uplift Those fallen by the way, whom Thou didst name My brothers? I, to the sad, ancient world, Speak, in unfaltering accents, of my soul's Instinctive yearnings, loftiest ideals, And holiest hopes of the fair destiny Of all my fellow-souls, who tread the way? When One has left a message, sweet, divine, Eternal, for the fainting world to read, Should I arise and cry, an echo faint, Of His all-satisfying tones of Love, And lisp my dreams of Truth? I am afraid! Yet, trembling, still I dare not to be mute. Remembering His vast Love, I can not choose But humbly say the lessons I have learned. Teach me, O God, to feel Thy silences, And hear Thy voice aright, in wind and wave; Teach me the upward look of Faith and Hope, Which lifts, nor ever drags the spirit down; Teach me the tender touch and the warm smile Of a deep, all-embracing heart, whose light Is the sweet essence of true Charity! |
THE SEA GULL.
|
Strong-winged soul of the lifting sea, Bird of the gale, Launch thyself from the crags, and fly Over the crested waves, nor sigh For the sheltered home, but gladly hail The sea and the open sky! High, low, high, low, Over the foam, Gliding level with the mast, Darting close above the vast Roll of billows—then come home, And hide thee from the blast. Once again, thy pinions free Spread to the speaking breeze! Forward, like a mermaid light, Onward, like to a soul as white As the curling foam of the singing seas, Nor shrink from the coming night. Rolling fog and fading light, Spread and sail! Fold thy pinions, breast the deep, In the darkness, Spirit, sleep, Soul of the gale! |