Poem December 15, 1934 Issue

He Turned Aside to See

FLORENCE KERR WOEHLKE

He turned aside to see,
Nor followed with his eyes, or anxious thought,
The windings of the sheep of Jethro's flock
Grazing at peace upon the Horeb height;
Nor feared lest one should stray,
Or, timid, take to flight.

He turned aside to see
And ask the reason why in mounting flames
The bush was not consumed, but burned bright;
A flaring torch that nothing did destroy—
A strange, new sort of fire—
Ascending higher.

He turned aside to see,
And when God saw that fearless, inquiring gaze
Intent to know and quickly to respond
To angel message, whether far or nigh,
He spoke. And Moses answered,
Here am I.