Poem September 11, 1948 Issue

"MAKE THEE AN ARK"

Jeanne Paul Christensen

"And God said unto Noah, Make thee an ark."

Above the din of error, Noah heard
The quiet, urgent voice, the brief command.
Attuned to righteousness, he heard the word
As all who listen hear and understand.

He built the ark, complete in every way
As God instructed him; he built because
He knew that they who truly love, obey
Their Father's wise commands, His perfect laws.

Safe in holy haven he remained,
Discerning matter's nothingness. The flood
Engulfed the earth, but Noah was sustained,
Secure within the consciousness of good.

Do angry waters seem to rise again?
Do storm clouds gather, threatening and dark?
Find refuge from the tides of woe and pain:
Obey the clear command, "Make thee an ark"!

Each triumph over sense, each grateful deed,
Each patient, healing thought where Christ is named,
Each selfless act to fill a neighbor's need—
With these, the ark is built, its bulwarks framed.

Within its sanctuary, man is seen
The perfect child of Love, immortal, free
From fear and sin, abiding in serene
Assurance of his true identity.

Jeanne Paul Christensen

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