Poem April 6, 1981 Issue

Ascent with healing

(Psalms 42:5, 11; 43:5)

GERALD STANWELL

Three times
the Psalmist questioned being down,
disquieted by the challenge to his crown
of hope in God;
three times affirmed his hope,
as if all true dominion and ascent
began with praise.

Is this hope not linked to deeper prayer?
Does not the deepening of our very thought
lift us
to find the way we sought?

We can rise
like third flight of the dove
upsoaring from Noah's hand,
never to return to perch outgrown.
As dove, our trust,
should all seem lost,
still finds its way. Then, dear friend,
defy disquieting but illusioned pain.
Feel restored to joy of newborn flight—
The Christ within has set you free again!

GERALD STANWELL

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

The moral qualities in healing