Poem December 31, 1938 Issue

The Wilderness

ANNE H. BROGAN

I went into the wilderness that day,
With heart bowed down and eyes so filled with tears
I neither saw nor knew I had but passed
The portal to the narrow way that leads
To Life—abundant Life.
But soon, ah, soon, the clearer vision came:
The pulse of life throbbed full and free once more;
New health, new joy, fresh hope and vigor sprang,
And Life, eternal Life, enfolded me
With power, with joy and peace.
O wilderness, the vestibule to Life divine!

I went into the wilderness alone;
I thought the days of sweet companionship
Were gone—but, no—how softly, tenderly,
The warmth and sweetness of Love's presence came
To fill the empty hours.
The wilderness leads on to heavenly views:
Thought scales, with reverent joy, the nobler heights,
And finds completeness in the sacred quest:
Love satisfies the highest hopes of men,
For Love is All-in-all.
O wilderness, the vestibule to realms of God!