Poem February 22, 1969 Issue

PRESERVATION

Mildred Kendall Snyder

Notice:
Nothing shall enter here.
Not storm-gales or roar of tides.
Keep out! Marauding mice or men or claw.

Or sun!

What is inside
that you should batten it down
with boards and clamps
laid on with a mighty purpose?
What is there to keep it, strengthen it,
or extend it? What is within?

Except
your gates swing inward to the heart,
and outward to the lame, the halt, the blind,
the child, the sinner, the proud,
little is saved.

Water
from the wells of salvation
must stir with the drawn draught
for your thirst, and for theirs.

Let it exceed!
Let it exceed your set borders,
flood your dikes,
purge your threshing floor,
and revive the wilt of your branch.

Batten down the inside
and someday the boards and clamps
fall in a heap.

Only by access of Love will it keep.

Mildred Kendall Snyder

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Editorial
Spiritual Strength
February 22, 1969
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