Poem March 28, 1988 Issue

Night flight

Susannah Breaux Seaman

I was in a Gethsemane last night—
fear crowding, despair crushing—
The long soul-search for a way out
Of night's illusive fears and mortal threats.

Surely (I argued to myself)
There is someone who prays in the night—
Someone to "watch with me one hour."^{Matt. 26:40.}
But it seemed a solitary stay.

My choice:
To soar with Spirit
or flee from it.
(To climb like Jacob
or run like Jonah.)
To tread the path of dread
with my Master as my guide
or sleep.

Alone in the dark I groped for a hand to touch,
a voice to soothe,
And found my Father's gentle counsel:
"There is no fear in love;
but perfect love casteth out fear."^{I John 4:18.}

And then was night light!
My flight above fear
broke out in glorious dawning
As I became someone who prays in the night,
watching "one hour,"
sharing what I know of Love.

And I reached out to envelop in Love's presence
All those whose hearts hurt with hate, or fear, or ill—
All those hopeless/nameless wanderers
Whom God so tenderly loves

Even as He loved me,
Last night, in Gethsemane.

Susannah Breaux Seaman

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