Poem July 7, 1973 Issue

PRACTITIONER'S PHONE

Beulah M. Roegge

The central core
that axis,
focal point and cement
of every day,
whose ring calls thought
from where it may have strayed
or elicits a message already on the lips.

The need cried out
reminds the answerer
that God is called to do
what human energies cannot.

No simplistic, stereotyped
statement will suffice.
The Christ must speak.

Then through the strife,
peace,
and the phone's ring
is a church bell.
"All is well,
all is well."

Softened, healed
a redemption of will.
What joy to be the practitioner
of His skill!

"Not always tall enough for the telephone,"
I read once, or something like it.
I agreed to such smallish moments
before mine became
a practitioner's phone.

Now there is promise in every ring
of two gathered in His name
and He in the midst of them.

Beulah M. Roegge

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