6

date: 1919-10-09

names-on-the-page:

transcription: tober 9, 1919 - Page 3

-Mine Own Bairn-

Covenant. Promise. Trust.
The mystery. Behold, thou art
Before it! No questioning lips
Have uttered e'en complaining.
Behold, thine eyes ope radiantly
Before the day! 'Tis thine.
What power dost thou fear?

Covenant, promise, trust.
Man may not dismay thee, for thou
Dost walk with thy hands within
The hands of Him.
Covenant, promise, trust.
I have delivered thee in trust,
And He also.

------------

-Wild Goose Flying-

In a purple eve, wearing fleece
Upon her throat, beside a purple pool
Reflecting, where the rushes sway, and
The grass lips touch the crystal water,
I stand, and lo, o'er the arched way,
Surely marking their flight, hosts
Move onward through the other way.

An exultant note is sounded, and wings
Urge on. And the purple deepens and
The fleece is gone, and the pool is
Still, and the grass wet and silent
Dipping the waters, and I have heard
The note and stand me wondering at its
Announcement, a clarion of faith!

Upon what sunny field in Tomorrow
shall they descend? Within their eyes
Was the sun even then casting its arrow
In surety? Or were they traversing the
Night, announcing shrilly their empty faith?

-----

--A Thirst and a Promise--

Oh, when the earth is willy-nilly
And the jester, Day, grime at thy
Despair, and the folly-dancers mark
Their rhythmic measure across thy
Tranquil path, and the dinning stops
Thy singing, when confusion's rife
and contumely falls upon thy pride,
And thou art come upon a beggar,
Begging wine; possessing but a pence
And knowing well his thirst, then give him
A promise. Thy purse shall then no lighter be.
And he shall ne'er to loose his thirst!

(2008)