If I would talk with God, my hasty tongue Must hold itself for that high converse pure, As one who has appointment with a king Scorns gossip with a minion at the gate. If I would listen to the voice of God, I dare not hear the prattlement of men, The bargaining, the vaunting, the untruth, The words that crawl and sting; for ears have room For somewhat, and no more. If I would walk Beside my God, His comrade and His friend, I must go His way, He will not go mine. If I would own the wealth of God, the gold, The gems of affluent heaven, like the dross Of basest refuse I must hurl away The spoil of greed and all the miser's glut. If I would know the wondrous lore of God, What sciences I shall not dare to know! If I would wield the awful power of God, How I must sink myself in helplessness! If I would revel in the love of God, What lesser loves must I disdain to serve! O Infinite, O Lover, O Supreme, Father and Leader and unfailing Friend, What littles must I gladly lose for Thee, What nothings must I tread beneath my feet To reach Thy hand, Thy bosom, and Thy face! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AGAINST THE REST OF THE YEAR by JAMES GALVIN THE UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE by JAMES GALVIN TEARS AND KISSES by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON GHOSTS OF THE OLD YEAR by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SURFACES AND MASKS; 3 by CLARENCE MAJOR |