Time of Silence

at a Quaker meeting

1

Down this sweet river, let it stop or run,
my longing was. “I will not pray,
for words would only atrophise the sun,
this source – this sweet life-giver for today.
I have no words, there are no words to say.”
A hidden weeping shook me. There was one
who was all men, who threw all life away
to be God’s truth: the spirit and the son.

This river, Sir, is strong – and stronger, faster,
the tiny raft of all I have and am
is carried down the current. Drown or damn
me – bless me – resurrect this sham,
my ship – O let it handle to a Master.
O love, the heart has skill against disaster.

2

There on the wood the Earth was heard
but not in sounds, was understood
but not by men. And mankind erred
there on the wood.

But God had tendered one a Word –
it was the world in search of good.
A man had gone. His spirit stirred
there on the wood.