Poem August 10, 1963 Issue

OVER THE WALL

Pearl Strachan Hurd

This the way out—grow tall!
So tall that the wall
Shrinks round your ankles.
Lift yourself high.
Grow level with sky.

Fist battering door
Bruises knuckles—no more.
Joseph in prison could pray,
Growing taller each day,
From premise of truth
Learned in youth,
Even in Dothan.
Clinging to only one
God, the cherished son
Roused hate in the others.
"This dreamer" had the envious brothers
Called him.
But when famine's knife
Drove them to Egypt he said
His task "to preserve life."
Grown tall, he forgave,
Knowing his need—to save.

Paul and Silas prayed
At midnight unafraid,
Higher, yet higher reaching
From platform of the teaching
Which unfastened stocks,
Broke prison locks.

Jesus, above all
Men on earth most tall,
Stepped out of that dark room—
Transcended the tomb!

Pearl Strachan Hurd

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