Poem January 25, 1982 Issue

Two questions I asked myself

VIRGINIA L. SCOTT

Question one:

Am I, like the Pharisee,
self-satisfied? Filled with pride?
By smugness tied?
To my great surprise,
and yes (I must confess)
with much distress
I saw these traits expressed
to some degree,
in me.

What must I do?
Turn to you,
Almighty God,
in this heart-searching hour
acknowledge Your power
to dissolve this blinding sense of vortexed self.

Question two:

Am I like the publican—
do I with anguished sigh
and fervent cry
beg for a holier selfhood to appear?
Listening, I heard Your voice:
"The choice is yours—choose good!"
I understood:

reformation, not just regret,
will let
God's might, His light,
guide my expanding sight
in the right
direction.

And an answer:

Increasingly
I pray to see
publican, not Pharisee,
in me;
and more: disciple meek,
eager to seek
ultimate perfection.

VIRGINIA L. SCOTT

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