Poem March 31, 1945 Issue

Straightway

HESTER CHAMPNEY

Straightway forsook their nets and followed him
Simon and Andrew, fishers of Galilee.
Their quiet days beside the blue sea's rim
Were over now. They answered swift his plea
To come with him, Jesus, the one who taught
Men to know God, to heal themselves and then—
By ministering to burdened hearts fraught
With sadness and remorse—to live again.

Are we as quick to leave our pleasant tasks
And follow Christ? Are we content to yield
Our disappointments to the Mind that asks
Us only to admit we can be healed
When we exchange the views of mortal sense
For Christly vision—glimpse omnipotence?