Poem February 4, 1980 Issue

Gently as a bird lights . . .

NANCY L. HOLDER

You can't force happiness to make its home with you;
it will never come where willfulness decides
or worldliness provides a gilded cage
for its capturing.
It will never sing in self-centered captivity.
You can't snare it in ambition's net.
Try to grab hold of it,
and it slips through your fingers.

But cease demanding, be still,
and feel God's love enfolding you.
Let His love fill consciousness,
spill over, and spread outward
like ripples on a quiet pool—
ripples of reassurance to all
you meet today—
and sweet happiness will come,
resting gently
as a bird lights and lingers.

NANCY L. HOLDER

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