Poem May 18, 1935 Issue

And It Was Winter

FANNY DE GROOT HASTINGS

"And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter."—John 10:22.

Winter was felt that year
And known to be severe,
Felt in the marrow of the bones
More than in trees and stones
Or in that eastern ground
That flourishes year round.
There was distrust to rout—
It was a time of doubt,
For it was winter in the heart.

Greater than solar art
Was needed here to thaw
The ice of Hebrew law
That froze the thought in fear
Year upon barren year—
A light above the sun,
All rays focused in one,
That Love might bring to birth
His kingdom upon earth.

That spring the land was green
As it has always been,
No more, no less; only
New hope revived, lonely
Seekers were comforted,
The lame picked up his bed
And walked, a "Peace, be still"
Spoke to the stormy will
And lifted Lazarus.

The touch miraculous
Had parted the starved sod,
Had brought the promised rod
Of Jesse to full bloom
In earth's transfigured room—
Thus was the Christ risen
In every thought prison,
Bursting the bars apart
To quicken spring in the closed heart.

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And It Was Winter

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