# Poems to Live By *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-20 — 1 clipping.* --- > Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Stanwood Cobb, Poems to Live By, Washington, DC: Avalon Press, 1969, bahai-library.com. > ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── > > POEMS TO LIVE BY > > by > > Stanwood Cobb > > Avalon Press - Washington, D. C. 20015 > > ' . > Copyright - 1969 > > By > > Stanwood Cobb > > Manufactured in the United States > of America > Other Books > > By Stanwood Cobb > > Th e- Jqde Necklace of Lin San Kwei - Verse > What is Love? - Verse > What is God? - Verse > Sage of the Sacred Mountain > What is Man? - Verse > The Donkey and the Elephant - Verse > Tomorrow and Tomorrow > Syrnbo l s of America > The Way of Lif e of Wu Ming Fu > Cha.r a ct e r - A Sequence in Spiritual Psychology > Patterns in Jade of Wu Ming Fu > Security for a Failing World > New Horizons for the Child > Discovering the Genius Within You > The Wisdom of Wu Ming Fu > The New Leaven > Simla - A Tale in Verse > The Essential Mysticism > Ayesha of the Bosphorus - A Romance > The Real Turk > The Meaning of Life > The Destiny of America > I slamic Contributions to Civilization > Table of Contents > > Part 1 > > Poems of Youth > > Nature and Love > > Par t 11 > > Poems of the Spirit > PARTI > > POEMSOFYOUTH, NATUREANDLOVE > Out F'r orn an Examination > > Out from an examination pacing hot-headed, > I percei ved the eternal r e al.i ti e s of natu r e: > The glow of sunset in the western sky, > The soft snow-lines upon the hi Il s , > The sixth planet shining near the ho r i z on , > And my soul found freedom again > In the Infinite. > > Twofold Goal > > Enough, enough to me be gi ven > A life both of the earth and hea ven; > The one amidst the deeds of man, > And one where only Faith may sean. > > L'Envoi > > A final word > From one who take s alone the path > That all must wa Ik , > Let it be said > That life is as you live i t, > The sky now blue , now gray > In mood to match > The sunshine and the shadow of your soul. > > The Path > > For me there is no great nor les s, > No failure or success; > The path I follow as the vision leads. > For time, I have eternity to r oarnj > For spa ce , the universe my home, > Content to go as Destiny me speeds. > > The Homeland > > Like a well known voice in a foreign land > Comes a bit of music here; a poem; > A song that bids me rise > And go to my Father's home. > > Do I rest content with th e things that are here? > I > Ti s because I see no other; > And voice s of the Pa st > Are drowned in a saddened d r e arn , > > Why do I linger here when a world of wonder waits? > A world where the purple hills look down > On a people of might . - > On a people who know their glorious God-gi ven powe r , > > It is there I be long , > In the mystic homeland sweet. > Why come ye s ourid s , strange melodies - > To prick my heart till the yearning blood leaps forth! > > O why, you poems of unusual meter, > That under the common meaning of your words > Bear me aloft on billows > Of inexplicable forgotten sound? > > O why, you pi ctu r e , lurks that subtl e smile > Beneath the contour of the form and color Is pride? > As who should hint > "Do st s ta y, when the home-breeze whispers forth?" > > I dreamed the other night I stood upon hills three > And saw a greater thing > Than ever I have known - > So great that half of it escapes my waking sight. > > But now I know what beauty m ean s , > And at its call > My struggling soul would restless burst away > And fly back home where friends await its coming. > > Man and De stiny > > To strut like a rooster in the sun , > To feel the joy oí every bird that sings, > To thrill with life like yonder nodding flower s, > This is existence. > > To open one1s arms to al.l one1s fellow be ing s , > To read behind each face the person hidden there, > To see beneath all evil the good that may become, > This is benevolence. > > To feel oneself grow less and Ie s s , > To reach the point where Self no more exists, > To float in the fulness oí the cosmic whole, > This is Eternity. > > Breath oí th e Summer Morn > > Breath oí the summer morn, > Dew on the rose, > Perfumes that are shed abroad > With every breeze that blows: > Seek ye, perhaps, sorne passer-by > To stop and dream and sigh? > Then here am I! > Oh here am I! > > A Creed of Happiness > > I ama pagan, > If making ha ppine s s an aim of lif e > Is pagan. > And I am a philosopher, > If the belief one l s happiness must be created, > And the consideration of the means of its creation > Is phí Io sophy, > > And this is my discovery: > The key to happiness > Is a simple and appreciative hea r t, > The Universe surrounds with many joys > Which go unheeded by the comrnon man. > > We win to happiness > By bringing open vision, > Zest for enjoyment, > And a thankful heart > To all activities of life > And every hour of living. > > Can one sa y more than this ? > Perhaps. > But the credo here set forth > Can be proved better by experience > Than by mere words. > > Pea ce > > Ending the dreary war-torn night > Zion feels the watchman bringing > The dawn of planetary peace - > And all her heart is singing. > > My Prayer > > Give me the mind to know, > The will to feel, > And enough strength to carry out > The Truth. > > Grant that the universe may open up her secrets to me. > I ask not to know all, > But to know rightly that which Ido know. > To be not led astray; > To see not falsely through prejudice, > Pride, sloth or wilfullne s s; > But to see thnough the clear light of reason > And to feel with the heart of a little child! > > Despair > > When life the de epe st settles like a cloud > Of storm upon me, such as thunders loud > Its dim despair, and flashes forth in gleam > Of lights that with satanic menace teem, > Then know I most, that though the sunny day s , > And joy, are God - He also rides the storm > And gives His angels charge of all the ways > Of waste and death that lead to life Is reform. > > And lo, this cloud strange mystic rays illume > Into a shape of high superna! grace; > And in the midst of despair's darkest gloom, > Behold! I see my Maker face to fa.ce , > > Sacred Hours > > Thank God for hours vouchsafed to u s, > Freed from Time Is moving stream - > When cosmic life, in leaf and flower, > Holds us entrancéd in dream. > > The Madman Is Story > > They told me that such effort would do har m, > Too great excitement for a failing mind! > A period so critica! should be . > Bridged over by mind-easing calrn and r e st, > Or else the slender threads of reason1s woof > Would snap, unravel and be swept away > By maddening wí.nds , > And so they counseled rn e t- > Carefree, to leave ambition for the wh~e; > Cut loase the cables, drift untaught to sea > And let my goal grow dim upon the du sk , > > Oh what a way to save a tottering mind! > What? Sacrifice ambition and all pl an s , > Abandoning the joyous course marked out > Just when the harbar light sends cheery rays > To guide the struggling vessel to its goal? > > Am I to let the world slip by, fo r sooth, > When but to hail it were to call it mine! > Or lea ve the ripe fruit hanging on the bough > Wñen it were mine for the mere plucking of it! > As well advise the sailor leave his r aft > When rescue boats are bearing down upon hírn , > As well advise a conquering army lea ve > The field of its well-wrested victory. > > They think the minds I last glimmer Is flickering out! > Bah, let them think! I s nap my fingers at them! > They do not know what genius is! They see > An old cracked bell and call it valueless! > > But reason, after ali, what is its worth? > Has reason ever moved the world? Won battles, > Established a religion or a school? > Or wrested from blind Nature many truths? > No, r ea son does not so! But genius doe s, > And madness is but genius in disguise. > > If I arn mad, I revel in this gift. > Let tie s be snapped, let earth be left behind; > And soaring through star-spaces, borne aloft > On roseate clouds of the imagination > Let's find what reason has but dimly guessed, > And the inferior clay has never dreamed. > > Look you at me in pity? In contempt? > I know that faint disdainful smile > The creeps around the face of everyone > Who listens to my story. > > I'll tell no more. > Please go away! Keep pity for yourself! > > All Hail! > > Hail to life' s bold explorers, > Pioneers who lead the way > To unknown regions of the soul; > Scale boldest crags, > And find there a foothold firm. > Without them, we should falter at the first steep climb; > Sould fear by pr ecípi ce and brink; > Should rest contented with low levels won, > > Why? > > Why should we always hear the first wild notes > Of symphonie s that droop with subtle sweet, > Only to miss the melody divine > That lingers half discovered, half too fleet? > > Why should our hearts soar skyward like the lark > At sight of sorne seraphic, heaven-lit face - > Only to beat its passion out in vain > Against the prison ba r s of time and place? > > O melody that comes to plague us so, > O love that clings and will not let us go, > We pr ay for Er e edornj yet a dreamless peace > We would not wish for, that I know, > > Let other s satisfy their hearts I desire, > Let others have a soul that's not on fí r e , > The sunshine glows more deeply after rain; > The seer, in pe a.ce , comes to his own again. > > When the Evening Shadows Fall > Composed in 1908 at Acca > > When the evening shadows fall > And the darkness covers all - > When the turquoise and the blue > Of the sea dissolve from vi ew, > And the orange of the sky > Fades befare the watching eye > When the sunset shadows fall > Ma y God' s peace enfold us all. > > What is Love? > > What is true love? Can anyone define? > Hardly, for Iove follows no one line. > > There is the ardent love of flesh for flesh, > Such as the cha rrn s of body may enmesh. > > When to such earthly love is added soul, > We have conjuga! blissfulness in wh ol e , > > There is attracti ve Lo ve of one' s own kind, > A deep attachment for the kindred mind. > > The !ove of mother for her cherished child > Of human Io ve this is most sweetly mild. > > But of all Iove s , this is the final test - > Welfare of others must to us seem be st] > > An Interlude? > > Is happiness an interlude, > Or is it natur e ' s constant mood? > For human s , it is all too rare - > It seldom serves as daily fare! > > To Soar Aloft > > O butterfly from flower to flower flitting, > How is it that I who here am sitting > Can also fly and spread my golden wings, > And soar al.oft with every bird that sings? > > Transmigration of Souls > > The Sparrow > (Devotee of the Mart) > > You have no voice to sing and charm the soul, > Your days are spent in grubbing on the street; > Nor have you zest to soar against the sky,- > Enough for you to hustle and to e at, > > The Crow > (Cynic) > > Where things are black, your plumage blackest fi t s , > You like, aloft, to sean the nether fields; > And then, arion , with raucous clamorings > Assure the world that life no pleasure yields. > > The Nightingale > (Forlorn Lover) > > When spring her utmost beauty spreads abroad > And moonlight gilds the blossom- scented air, > You pour your heart in r aptur ou s melody > Invoking memories of sorne old despair. > > The Eagle > (Seer) > > You soar aloft s height; > and dar e the zenith I > > Your wings can vantage you against the gale; > And when you rest, 1tis on sorne sky-born crag > Where turmoil does not r ea ch, nor silence fa i I, > > Newton - A Poetic Appreciation > > O Newton, who thy charms can fitly tell! > Thy shaded streets, thy fair homes love so well; > Thy re sidential heights by a r t enhanced; > Thy simpler spot s where Nature lies entranced; > Thy ponds that bask beneath the summer heat > And ring in winter from the skaters' feet; > Thy river where the summer idly floats > In gay canoe s and sober-colored boats - > O place of pleasure noted far and wide, > Where is thine equal, charming Riverside? > > So far has loving Nature done her share > To make the Garden City passing fair > That she has seemed to justly signify - > "He r e in no busy factory wheels shall ply, > No dust-blown mart this charming site shall hol.d, > Its people be of no inferior mold. " > And so the thirteen Newtons, charming all, > Laid out and grown to plan symmetrical, > Ha.ve come to be the home of those who take > Culture for theirs and live for culture's s ake , > O may no footprints of a ruder r a c e > Her paths of plenty and of peace defa ce , > Let others have their palaces and domes, > May Newton stay the city of fair homes. > > Perfection > > I wonder if all life must make the quest > For a Perfection that is never found , > I wonder if that chord must be denied, > -To gi ve earth-music a celestial sound. > > When Hope is Gone > > Life still asserts itself, when hope is gone, > for life is more than thought; > It is the sacred Essence ba ck of time > from which all things are wr ought, > > Then Iea r n, when hope grows dírn, to roerse yourself > within this Cosmic Ocean - > V:.'4ich can bring calm, or rouse the tired soul > again to zestful motion. > > Knowe st Thou, O Soul? > > The shadows lengthen > And we are far from home. > Knowest thou the r oad, O Soul? > Canst see amidst the gloam? > > "Though the road be lengthy, > Though the goal be far - > Never need we go astray > With eyes on yon bright star!" > > But the way is r ough, O Soul; > The night is hard to meet. > How can mortals safely tread > The path with stumbling feet? > > "Though the darkness deepens > Though dusk obscures the sight - > Never need we stumble here > While at our feet this Light. 1' > > Toda y > > I arn so happy toda y, > And I cannot tell why. > Perhaps it1s the light in the ai r , > Perhaps it1 s th e blue in the sky. > > Ido not ca r e what may come > Or what tomorrow ma y bring; > Today I'm in Io ve with Ii fe , > Today I can only sing. > > Walking With My Lave > > Walking with my true lave > The sun shines brighter s ti Il , > The sky is b lu e r , and a glow > Transcends the tree-clad hill. > > The river flows in pearly hue s , > Framed in its sedge-brown fringe; > And out acress the gray-blue flood > Far shores show misty tinge. > > The earth is always filled with joy > And beauty reigns superb above , > When comradely a nd arm in arm > I walk the meadows with my Iove , > > Creatori > > Lords of the Inner World, we, > Land of the unbeknown - > Where visions have exi.sted > And high ideas have flown. > > Not ours the truckling market, > Nor throne-rooms lined with g old, > We dwell in faery castles > And spirit scepter s h ol.d, > > We rule the elementals. > Ours the creative fire > That shapes a constellation, > That solves a heart's de s i r e , > > Our love is pristine beauty; > Our life is pa s s ed in d r e arn s , > For usj pa r t s the mystic curtain > And the light of knowledge beams. > > Today let us sow, theri, in gladness > That tomorrow may reap what is sown. > Our s not the car e for Earth Is wage s - > Lords of the Unbe known, > > Exploring Truth > > May I see Truth, as from a mountain top > Scouts see a vast terrain spread out before them > Waiting to be explored, beckoning to adventure, > Enticing with the promise of hid treasures; > Luring one on in an eternal quest > To goals not seen, but only gue s s ed, > > Above the Rainbow > > At the end of the r a inbow, > So we are told, > Lies bright buried treasure, > A pot of pure gold; > But this so elusi ve > Escaping our hold. > > Above that same rainbow > Lies wealth more kind; > More valuable treasures, > Within our strength to find - > Treasures of the spirit, > Treasure s of the mind. > > Song of the Jubilant Throat > > Why this life' s dullnes s? > Where is the wrong > That the h e a r t ' s fullne·ss > Bur st into song? > > Song of the jubilant throat - > Pricked with the yearning > That through Spring' s caress > Sets hearts aburning. > > Chant of the blood- red dawn, > Hint of Hope' s morrow - > Shall not today's bright sun > Outshine all sorrow? > > Sacred Lyre > > I tune my sacred lyre > To sorne celestial fire; > Its strains mount sweet, mount higher, > Like glorious chant from sorne exalted crag. > Oh, may this inspiration never flag, > These fingers never tire! > > To a Naiad > > Come and sit here - > Sit by my side > Abo ve the wa ves and ti d e , > Are you sorne naiad > Out of the deep? • 1 > Have you love- strayed > F'r orn one who would keep > You bod y and h e a r t , > Ne ver to part? > > Do you mourn > For what is pa s t ? > Have the Fates borne > You here at last, > To rest in pe a e e > Here at my side - > With no release, > Whate'er betide? > > The Piscataqua > > I recline in the shade of the trees, > The tidal river below; > Not too much chill in the breeze, > Only an ambient glow. > > It+s hot in the city, they say - > Yes, it is stiffling hot. > But here an entrancing day > Gilds this sequestered spot , > > Yes! It is easy-to feel > Close to God' s spirit her e• > No church designed of brick or steel > Brings Him so subtly near! > > A Perfect Day > > The birds are singing; > And the sunlight gay > Makes on the water > A morn-magic ray. > > The air is fresh; > And every leaf and flower > Make s for loveline s s > An enchanted hour , > > Here is a perfect day; > Nature has done her best > To fil! my heartwith joy > To soothe my soul to re st , > > Fairies > > There is a woodland glade > Where fairies dance > Wrapt in the forest silence, > Free from human glance. > > From a mos sy bank > The music comes; > Crickets piping shrill > All the woodland fill; > And the locusts' wings > Furnish drums. > > What have they for light? > The fire-fly' s torch. > And the glow-worms give > Lamps that do not scorch. > > See the green-bossed elves, > Perched on flowers, > Come to see the fun > From their hidden bowers. > They'll not dance tonight - > Only fairies > Sha r e this pure delight. > > Round and round they go, > Bend and courtsey low. > On the tiniest little feet > They trip - and their toes > Scarce with the dew drops meet > That glitter on the rno s s , > > In the East light spa.r kl e s , > And the stars grow dí.rn, > What, must the fairies stop > Just in the be st of trim? > > Yes, the music cease~, and the fairies gay > Each with a fire-fly escort > Haste away, > At the stroke of three > All must silent be - > For fairies flee the appr oa ch of day. > > The Goal > > O Love, I turn to thee > To guide me over life r s strange mystic sea. > The thinker thinks his intellect the goal, > But we know better, you and I, my soul. > Love is the clue arid Love the guiding, too. > Without it none may pass the spirit' s portals through. > > And so to that great Splendour of Desire far away, > Love be my company, and Love my stay. > > The Flame > > This earth of our s , so gay, so bright, > And you dar e say that life is without light? > Go! In the darkness of your soul enquire > For that one Flame that sets the worlds on fire. > > Evening Prayer for a Child > > God give thee pea ce , > May angels kis s thee in thy sleep, > And round about thy head so dear > The wingéd seraphs vigil keep. > > God give thee joy, > That thou mayest see His face - > The whilst all troubles of the day > Dissolve with Time and Spa ce , > > God give thee power - > That thou maye st learn to bring > Back with thee when thou com I st to earth > The songs the angels sing. > > Thoughts > > The woods are full of last year1s chestnut-burs > And dead leaves dance with every wind that stirs; > Come, who would wish these back upon the tree > Which toda y' s new life decks out so gloriously! > > Why blind the eyes with grieving for the past > So that thou canst not see the joys thou hast? > Wipe yesterday's unavailing tears away > And greet the glorious sunshine of toda y. > > The future beckons with a golden smile > And offers gifts which every heart beguile. > But he who grasps the present moment's mead > Has that whose worth all other worths exceed. > > Appearance and Reality > > From the ocean of Eternal Love > Two waves carne breaking on the shor e , > That travelled twain until their spray > Was joined to separate no more. > > So from the Formless, issues form; > From the Abs tr act, life' s joys are won, > Ali that now moves as multiple, > E'ternally is seen as one , > > Youth > > O youth, blossoming at our O Garden of delight! > Seed of eternal splendor, > With each day's promise bright! > > How Nor knew that life was bare - > Youth oí- eternal splendor > Bringing us joys to share? > > Lif e Is infini te r enewal, > Builds on youth's changing ways - > Rhythm that pulsates warmly > And throughout the Cosmos plays. > > Ever sorne new root springing > The decay of Time defies; > Because youth can balance age, > The Universe never di e s , > > Baby in a Restaurant > > This baby did not understand much s pe e ch, > Nor know the use of things within his reach. > But as he s canned the strangers between whiles, > He understood the meaning of their smiles. > > To Five-Year Old Shirin > > O Shirin, you were born on ea r th , > But the quaint secret no one knows; > How you brought beauty from the sky> > Or whence your innate wisdom fl ows , > > Cupid and Apollo > > Lave was sipping nectared bliss > Brewed from honey of a kí s s , > Cupid beside her, amorous boy, > Was thinking whom he might annoy > With his potent bow and arrows, > Bored with shooting only spa r r ows , > > Apollo, music Is god, happed by > As Cupid ventured toward Iove Is sky, > Apollo smiled at Cupid Is sport, > And gave advice in discourse short. > > "When you speed the heavens through, > Shoot darts dipped in magic brew > Distilled from music sweet and low - > A yeast to make !ove quickly grow. > Try thí s , and these words you'll prove: > Men and music rna ke for Iove , 11 > > Nature and God > > Na.tur e ' s prolific. A single living cell, > Left free to multiply without one death, > Would in five years outweigh the earth itself! > And myriad microbes crowd our every br ea th, > > Is God so generous to the lowest life > That thrives below ea i-ths surface o r above, > And yet be limited in spiritual goods, > Or fail in His abundant gift of Love? > > And still, with all its teeming vital wealth, > Matter is limited in its supply. > Love only, through the Cosmos, knows no fail - > Its boundaries as infinite as the sky , > > And Love has miracles that nature lacks; > The more of it that's used, the more it grows. > And who gives most of love to other men > Will find that love, to him, more richly flows. > > What is Desire? > > What is desire? > A slumbering fire > That smoulders for days, > Then bur sts into blaze - > De stroying all in i ts path > Like the ragings of wrath. > > When peace follows pain, > Desire smoulders again. > > Love is the Light of Home > > The Universe is vast, > It terrifie s the soul! > Man as a fragment > Is lost in the Whole. > > Lave is Life's Anchor, > The focus of Being; > Here man is All, > As sight is all of seeing. > > No longer wandering, > Not aimless to r oarn , > Not lost in the cosmos, > Lave is the light oí home. > > Hope > > Hope is the sunshine oí tomorrow- > The truth that all things deítly move > Serene to gladness out of sorrow, > That Faith her steadfast pledge may prove. > > A Little While > > Descending from sorne heaven oí delight > You carne to dwell on earth a little while - > Bearing celestial joy within your heart, > Wearing delight as an eternal srní.Ie , > > The Morning After the Strife > > Alone, alone with the cold, cold dead, > And the sea breaking clase at hand, > The beach is strewn with the harvest of war, > And the ocean frowns on the Iand, > > Ali gone, all gone is the noise of the strife, > And the dead are an ashen gray. > One man alone has lived through the night, > Will he die at the break of day? > > Slowly, slowly he raises him up, > For his limbs are frozen and stiff. > Slowly he looks on his comrades the dead > As they lie at the foot of the cliff. > > "My comrades, why have you left me here, > Alone with the sea and the sky? > Shall I alone live to tell the tale, > How I have seen you die? > > "No, oh no! May the dear Lord forbid! " > In a pitiful voice he cried. > And God on high gave heed to his cry - > For he passed at the turn of the tide. > > Roll on, O sea, to the foot of the cliff, > And cover the bodies gray. > Tosa, toss the limbs in the dim light of dawn - > They will never see the day! > > A Year of Travel > > A year of travel - how the words entice! > Italy, from south to north, Venice, the Alps; > Germany's southl.and, the Rhine, Hol.Iand, Belgium > and France, > Pa.r i s , the city of the gay and beautiful; > A week of touring in Touraine; > Then London for three weeks, Cornwall, and home > at Ia st, > The plan is perfect, so you say (on reading i t}, > A varied feast of a r t, and music, and street s ce ne s , > Of classic ruins, chur ch e s , palaces and parks; > Interspiced with country j aunt s , fresh aí r , the sea > and mountains. > > And so we started, setting sail from that great por t, > Bidding farewell to friends and relati ves; > Hearts filled, half with th e thoughts of home, > Half with anticipations of delight a c r o s s the sea. > A merry company aboa r d, cong ení al , friendly, > So grown together thr o ' the long three weeks of cruise > That when the parting carne there were many sad > farewells. > > Italy at Ia st, and the dirty streets of Napl e s , > Cap r i , that glorious isle, sea-girt,with beauties that > entice the traveller to s tr ol.lj > Lingering ca r e s s ing l y along her shores > Come next Sorrento, Amalfi and Ravello - > Nam e s that linger in the memory like sunset hue s , > The Belvedere with its many magic views, > Ravello Is mountain-climbs and chestnut graves, > Its sturdy natural peasants, swift to song; > > Its old remains and gardens, its qui et hour s of thought. > Then Cava and Pompei - first glimpse of Roman life; > In ashes tho ' it lay, still charming, still hinting of the > beauty of its prime, > Revealing inner secrets of the Roman home. > One forro still lingers in my mind, indelibly impressed - > One frozen feminine forro baring its lines of beauty > to the world - > A Roman maiden who found immortality in death. > > O, Rome! once mistress of the world, now of my h ea r t, > What words can tell thy clas sic charro? > The inspiration of thy potency > Moulded by the hand of man in forros of beauty that no > year s can dull; > Thy ancient ruins, thy rn e di ee va.I streets; > Thy sculptures so expressive of the past; > Thy Sistine Chapel that can still amaze a world; > Thy vistas, dissolving one upon the other like swiítly > moving films. > My mind' s eye now sees the sunset glories from thy > Pinchon hill; > Now proudly mounts thy Sparii sh Steps and ba ckwa r d > glances o1er the moonlit rooís; > Now strolls amidst the verdure of Bor ghé s e grounds, > Watching the sunshine sparkle on th e grass. > And scanning every passer-by, > Now dimly threads the leafy labyrinth of the Doria park > With a fair friend, under a fair sunset sky. > Thy narrie shall ever call up memories of joy; > Oí social calls, new charming faces; > Pleasure of the opera and dance; > Thy meeting, Vedder, and the joy oí it; > New friendships, new !oves íormed > (For to me all friends are lovers); > > Those wa lk s , exchange of thoµghts; > ·communion made inspiring by thy great destiny, > O, Rome! > > Florence - hill girt, eloquent of the Quatro Cento art - > Thy charms half failed us in those dreary weeks of > early spring, > As a fair woman1s face is rendered ashy gray by cold. > Would that I could see thee once again in the Spring Is > prime - > Could stroll about thy hills; > Could linger on Fiesole, deep-drinking of her glorious > view; > Could steep myself in sunshine of Italian skies. > Yet there is one "Sp r i ng " I never shall forget - > Boticelli Is - for in him I found a fr end,í > > A mystic friend who speaks to me of joys half-hid, > Of beauties tremulous to the wistful gaze. > > Venice! I review thy waterways > And greet with joy again St. Ma r ks , > The Doge1s Palace, the Canal > With all its fairy forms of art domestic. > I see again thy paintings after a lustrum 1s lapse; > And admire, as of old, sorne canva s e s , > Lose interest in other s , and find in exchange > New beauties in artists unappreciated then. > > At last Italy abandoned, cities left b ehí.nd, > Comes the simple grandeur of the earth snow-clad; > Of mountain tops outlined against a dazzling sky; > Joy of winter sports, snow-skiing, coa s ti ng , walking > under white-capped fir s > Along the mountain- s ide , > > That was a pleasant week, > Ma r r e d slightly by the strain of too much exercise - > (Lessons still to learn in self-restraint, in patience). > But, on the whole, a pleasant week of mingled work and > play, of bracing aí r , of snow-lined sunsets and > of mountain peaks. > > O Muní ch , > City of famed beer-halls > Where German families enjoy at slight expense > Nights of good cheer and rnu s i c , > Nowhere in the world are "gemutlicheit" and "music" > so enjoyed together > In one long evening around a social table. > The Germans invented b e e r , > And they know how to drink it > Slowly for good fellowship. > They also ga ve great mu sic to the world. > And here under one roof > "Culrnba che r " and "Beethoven" flow together. > Her e , too, in Munich science reigns, > Set forth in the wo r Id l s first industrial museum. > Think not that I forget thy a r t, O Munich, > Or thy Wagnerian joys; thy museums and thy civic > splendour s; > Thy perfect cleanliness and simple elegance; > Nor do I forget thy social joys, > The sight of happy radiant faces, the play of > comradeship, > Of the ideal friendship that subsists > Where Freedom Is youths and maidens hold converse. > > And so good-bye to Germany, with her pleasant > homes, > Her men and women who know how to li ve, > How to. extract from simple thing s their jo y s , > Amsterdam next - arioth e r German r a c e , but > different, better dressed; > Joining the vigour of th e Teuton with the Pa r i s g r a ce , > Thy women, Hol.l.and, are as fair arid charming > As thy smiling meadows and thy subdued sea. > > Belgium, with her aping air s of Par is > And her softer r a c e carinot win our hearts as > Holland > Which helped to give our freedom birth. > Nor can her a r t compare to Hol.Iand ' s > In simplicity, in restraint or human touch. > > París, city of the Muses' sway, > Robed in thy beauty oí th e courtesan > That pleads for pleasure and invites to joy; > I lave thee, yet confess, to live too long within > thy atmosphere > Were to forget all effort and accomplishment. > I love th y boul e va r d s , far- stretching to the e ye , > Fair-lined with trees, broad and luxurious, tempting > the loiterer on and on, > Where in this world could one stroll on city streets > With half the joy as her e, sa ve in our own fair capital? > Thy pa r k s , thy quainter spot s > Where streets wind in and out amid old buildings; > Thy eager throng on pleasure bent, > Overflowing every boulevard and park. > A scene I never shall forget; to stand > At clase oí day, amid the city dusk - > > Her purple lights on every side - upon > Champs Elysées > And looking up and down, behold the line of swiftly > moving vehicles; > And in the distance, proudly limned against the sky , > Thy Arch of Triumph in an aureole of mist. > Beauty, beauty, beauty! Oh my heart - > That faster beats in dreams of thee - > Here is thy shrine, here is thy home, here thy > decay; > And in the land a eros s the sea, thy resurrection. > And thanks again to th e e , O Paris, > For old friends and new ones; > For pleasant social life, for intimate joys of > lofty conversation. > Thanks for new literary plans. > And mostly thanks for th i s , > That thou hast brought me into comradeship again > For three short weeks > With that true friend and brother of the East, > Hussein. > > Touraine, the Loí r e , chateaux - > How these words charm! > Long sunny r de s , fresh ai r , swift passing scenery > í - > With sorne goal each day of beauty and of worth; > Sorne cha.teau rich with history and art, > Embellished with fond hands of many a king > and courtier - > Or, perhaps, the residence of love! > Blush not, oh towers, at what transpired underneath > your roofs! > What a wealth of names - Charnbo r d, Azzy, Chinon, > Loches, > > Chaumont, Chenonceau and Blois - > How can one choose a favourite? > For me Chaumont will ever stand on its fair site > Enticing, beckoning, tempting me to linger o'er > its sunset glory. > > Alas, the pen must lea ve these beauties and > proceed > To Albion Is shore - mi stress of the seas; > To London, hugest city of the world. > There is an inspiration just in this immensity, > And to travel day by day ba ckwa r d and forward, > miles apar t, > And never yet see limits to thy pale - > This is impres si ve. > > Then joy, O London, joy of friends, new-found > And ol d; joy of swift comrnuní on, > Of thoughts that balance thoughts > And sympathy that makes this old dr ab earth > a song. > Joy of thy suburbs, of thy social life, > The solid pleasures of thy English heart. > > But sorrow, London, sorrow and great sharn e > For poverty that stalks thy streets; > For privilege that lies entrenched behind a hundred > barriers of wrong. > Shame for thy stiff-necked pride > That plays the miser to thy woman's need, > And dost withhold the social justice of the ag e , > Strange obdurate r a ce , > Unyielding to the challenge of the times! > Who shall say thy part is played? > > But count me as one who , lover of the world, > Loves still his British brother most. > > And so we end the trip - > Bringing home with us a treasure-trove > Of art; memories of a thousand scenes of beauty; > Clearer understanding of the European life and > pr og r e s s , > > New insight into human nature. Thanks to th e e , > dear friend, > Whose genius has made possible this trip; > Whose capacity for work has taught me new > content; > Whose insight into life > Has lifted many veils for me. > > Autumn Trails > > Have you walked with the autumn wi nd s > When the air breaths a blessing of health; > Have you trod the forests grown old > In hoarding their Le af - blown wealth? > > In the glow of the sunset red > When the day1s harsh sounds have fl e d , > And over the earth > The sky gi ves birth > To its radiance nightly shed? > > She Walked with Me > > O Lo ve , she walked alone wi th me > Upon the borders oí the sea; > Foam-crested waves were running hi gh, > And scudding clouds obscured the sky. > > With lambert eyes she made the plea > Will you be ever true to me? 11 > > And I, with consummate conceit > Said: 11Yes! My ardor will complete. > > With the íull force oí the wild wa ve , > And every quaint adventure brave. > And like those clouds that skim the sky, > My love shall greatly qualiíy." > > Beaut y is Immortal > > Schubert sold his inspired song s > For a mere pittance, > And died a saddened and discouraged man. > Little did he dream that through modern > miracles oí sound > His melodies would reach and bring delight > To audiences oí millions. > > He who creates true beauty - > Whether in song or paint, or in fair words - > Becomes thus one of the Irnmortals. > > Laila > > "What is the s e c r e t, my Laila > That makes you smile so deep? 11 > > 11 It > is an angel's whisper > That only the heart can ke ep, 11 > > What is the light from heaven > That shines through your amethyst eyes? 11 > > It is a bit of star-glint > > That sh on e first in Paradise. 11 > What is the magic potion > > That makes your charm divine? 11 > > 1 have tasted life's sweetest nectar > - > Love lends me joy of her wirie , 11 > > Today I Can Only Sing > > I am so happy today > And I cannot tell why; > Perhaps it's the light in the air, > Perhaps it's the blue in the sky , > > I do not car e what ma y come > Or what tomorrow may bring; > Today I'm in love with life, > Toda y I can onl y sing. > > A Great Love > > Come in,John, It's good to see you. > Elizabeth has been upon the very verge of death. > They would not let me stay there longer at her side - > I needed rest, they s aí d, and sent me home. > > But I cannot r e st, I cannot bear to be alone, > And so I phoned for you. 'I'ha.nk.s, J'ohn, for coming. > Sit down. He r e ' s sherry - tha.t ' s your favorite > drink, > As I recall. And he r e+s sorne cigarettes. > Me? No, I'll neither drink no r smoke with you, > But only talk - speak out sad thoughts that burn > within. > Such sharing of my heart with you tonight, > Dear friend, will be the best of ariod yn e s , > > Ours has been a great Io ve l You understand! And yet > You cannot grasp my full significance > When I say - "Great." And if you ask - "How great? 11 > I might say - "Greater than words, higher than the > sta r s , > Ample as life itself, and universal > Like the air we breathe, yet warm like sun shí ne , 11 > > But when I say all thi s , what can it mean > To you, unless your heart, like mine, has known > Those ecstasies but rarely granted mortals? > > When I look back, I marvel that I failed > To realize what a paradise was mine! > She loved me, gave me all her heart and mind, > All her fair body; and yet more - her soul , > > A love so ardent, so all-possessing and po s s e s s ed , > So warm, so sweetly gentle, yet so potent > When the flood-tides flowed! How often she > declared > She loved my voice, my springing gait, my poí s e , > My eyes, my Ií.ps , my smile of Lo ve , In fact > She loved, she s ai d, naught less than all of me. > > And I, needless to say, loved all of her - > Adored her smile, the glory of her eyes, > Her buoyancy arid spring-like energy of youth. > > She knew her love for me before I knew > My love for her. In fa ct , she broached it fir st, > Or else perhaps we never would have mated. > For I could not , I'm sure, have brought myself > To propose that such disparity of age > Should join in wedded bliss. It would have been > Too selfish of me to have asked her youthfulness > To find the consummation of her life > In me - the warmth of June mated to Novernb e r , > But so it was! We loved, and joined our lives! > I guess that it was meant to be; so she declares, > At any rate. A marriage made in heaven. > This I know, it ha.s brought a heaven-on-earth to me! > > I ask her sometimes if she doesn't regret > Not marrying a younger man. No, she says - > After meeting me she couldn 't endure > Men of her age or there-abouts. What could > They talk about compared with me? I don 't mean > To vaunt myself. For it was she declared > Our talk together ranged the universe, > Plumbed depths of knowledge, soared on wings > > Oí ecstasy in sharing side by side > Beauties oí nature, oí music and oí poe sy, > Toward everything we felt the same reaction. > Twin soul s , you say? She made it simpler. > ''We are the same! 11 she used to say, referring > To a stirring love-theme she had seen portrayed > Upan the screen, oí simple mountain maid and man. > 11We > are the same! 11 she oíten s aí d, 11For see > How we respond the same to everything! 11 > > And it wa s true, we dí d, In very fact, > It was amazing how we shared each oth e r ' s thoughts > And feeling s. I wonder ií two souls can join > Their roots together so the fruitage stems > From both? In truth, it seemed that way with u s , > > I could say oí her, as Poe said oí "Annabe l Lee'', > That she had no thought than to lave and be loved by me. > And such Io ve is r a r e these days - with women's > rights, . > And woman1s conílicts between love arid self-expression. > But truly, what is self-expression in a woman? > Who knows? Perhaps it finds its best íulfillment > In wifely devotion to a mate, a home, > And happy children; in joy at her husband Is skill > And ca r e e r - progress, That! s what Elizabeth thinks, > At any rate. She says, "That' s the kind oí self- > expression > That suits me - to li ve in you and in your work. 11 > > One might go further into this philosophy oí sex - > A subject deep as life itself. The yin and yang > That so intrigued philosophers in China > From long ago - the Active and the Passive; > > The male,creative .. and the mate r e c eptí ve , > Isn't that how life ftself is made? Doe s the same > Relationship exist on mental planes? > The male being typically the creator; > And the female, silent par tne r , furnishing > Occultly psychic and spiritual support .,- > Joining her soul-stuff to his so that the fruit > That i s sue s, the creation, is of them both, > Yet both to function in their ówn--sex wa y. > > Well, that is what she thinks; and far from me > To disagree, seeing my real success is dueto he r a- > Due to her spiritual and selfless love; > Her buoying up of all my psychic strength; > Her fructifying ardor laid upon the altar > Of my creative urge, both light and warmth > To me. The resulting gains are palpable > To all who read and praise my latest works. > > And now, am I to lose this light of life? > It's fifty-fifty whether she live or die. > There Is sorne hope left, thank. God, but not too much! > Why did we risk it! The doctors warned us > childbirth > Might be dangerous. But she, in her sweet way, > persisted. > She craved a child by me, pledge of our love: > A tiny replica to repeat the traits she loved > In me - blue eyes, kind mouth, and all the rest - > A bundle of love, to live upon her breast, > Grow strong within her arms, and gladden her > (She dreaded to speak of this) when I am gorie, > And so we risked it - and I ha ve a son, > But in the doing may have lost a wife! > I shame to say, this is no recompense! > (paces up and down in silence) > Yes, I should be silent after such a speech - > > Should be a shamed, But we're not masters of > Our will. Rather, our emotions master us, > And so you see me in this mood tonight - > And I am at this moment torn in two > Between desire to know the wor st, and fear > To ascertain it. > > "Why not try, " you say? "The news may be goodv " > Well, why not? Here goes - > > What? - There1s more than fifty-fifty chance? > Good hope? Thank God for that! Now I can sleep. > > Well, John, you1re here to see the curtain fall > On happier ending to Act Two than I > Had dared to hope for. Act One was deep despair. > Pray God Act Three may yet still better fare, > And bring the drama to a joyous end, > "Amen! Amen!" you say? Thank you, dear friend! > I need not keep you longer. You may go, > Your kindly visit has relieved my woe. > Now I can sleep. Thank God - I say again! > Whennext I see you, pray there be no pain! > > Irnmanence > > Down the long puzzled corridor s of Time > Eternity slips by with veiléd face; > Nor realize we its hourly immanence, > Or that Infinity inhabits present space, > > Sunset > Publ.í sh ed , 1902, Dartmouth Literary Magazine > > Slowly the dying day is waning in the west; > Slowly the sun is sinking to its re st; > Slowly the crimson changes to a gentler hu e; > Slowly the pink gives place to night1s majestic blue; > The day is done. > > Dusk in a City > > In the dusk there is something att r a ct s me, > In the dusk of a lar ge city. > I love to feel the coming on of ni ght, > To know the luminous sta r s will soon appe a r , > I love the golden lamps of city streets, > And the afterglow in the sky. > > I stand in the midst of a street > And wat ch its dirn perspective vanish > In a purple mist. > I stand on a street corner > And watch the passers-by intent on th ei r home-going.,. > I stand and look in a shop window golden with light. > The moments swiftly pass. > I turn - > The sky is ví.olet, and the night has come. > > Absence > > I send my dearest love to you > And waft it with a ki s s , > Even absence can be bliss > When it preves love to be so distant-true. > > Would that our arms could intertwine. > That still I could embrace you > With ardent aspect face you > And feel your warm heart nestle against mine. > > But spirit can with magic power > Defy the laws of spa ce; > Make Time yield up its grace > To shrink Eternity to one glad hour , > > This hour, th en , I spend with you > In thoughts of happy da ys > In memory of gracious ways > Which erstwhile preved your love so warmly true. > > Retreat > > Sweet is the path of dalliance, when > The west wind blows; > And sunshine spreads felicity > And joy abounding flows. > > But ha r d, oh ha r d , th e bitter steps > Retracing such a path; > Striving, struggling on against > The north wind Is blast! > > The Saint > > The Saint is one whom light shines through, they say. > His vision of the truth can far outspan > Earthly horizons, for by Cosmic Ray > He glimpses regions beyond human ken, > > Reality transcendent and sublime > Along can motivate his lonely soul. > His s cope no space can limit, nor can time. > The Universa.! is his que st and goal. > > He breaks the fabric of Society > With forces uncondítioned and unborn > Oí men. It is his airo to boldly free > Humans from all that renders life forlorn. > > He makes for progress, for deliverance. > He sets th e captive free, raises th e de ad, > And fills the barren soil with serní nanc e , > And where the sheep are hungry, sees them fed , > > God ' s Bestowal > > Why do you fear, faint heart? > The trees are budding bliss, > The shrubs in flower, > And nature grows more beautiful each hou r , > Can you perceive all this, > And not with joy claim your own par t > Of that which God bestows as radíant power? > > With Dante > > Eye hath not seen, ea r hath not heard > Those things for which men Is hearts are fain - > Strange joys and loveliness in store > Beyond this meagre earth-bound pla ne , > > But we, with Dante, have been blessed > To soar aloft and receive sight > And touch of Love Superna!; to swoon > Almost, before Its dazzling light. > > A Toast to Love > > Love is life's central law > And hath not any flaw. > Love travels ne a r and travels far, > It move s the atom and the sta r , > And median in this Cosmic s pari, > Love plays the tyrant over man. > Benevolent tyrant, we must grant, > It satisfies our every want. > To such a ruler we give toast - > Love , ever be our benign ho st , > > Harvests > > Love, make fertile the soil of my heart > And deeper plow this Iand, to bear > Flowers of poesy more fair > And harvests rich for Beauty's rna r t, > > If Dreams were True > > If dreams were true > I'd be with you > Tonight, dear one - > If dreams were only true! > > The shades of evening falling, > Then would I sink to sleep > And send my soul thineward > Over the mystic deep - > Somewhere to meet under the stars; > Sorn ewher e the soul Is tryst to ke ep, > In dreamland where no distance ba r s , > > Did I not dream befare, dear one, > That thou wert near? > That thy soul' s fragrance beat in space? > That thou wert with me fa ce to face, > And I forgot to fear? > > Did I not feel thy strength as mine > When morning light did beam? > Did I not bear a song away > And sing i t all the li ve long da y - > From that sweet holy dream? > > If dreams are true, then I shall be with you > Tonight. > Let space be as it may, > Let time refuse to stay, > If dreams are true, then I shall be with you, > > Picnic in January > > It has come Saturday, so let us play - > Our stage the river-bank, our time, a day > That's bright with sunshine andas warmly rare > As if June mixed her warmth with winter ai r , > > Here let us spend our hour s, let Nature steep > Our very souls with her elixir deep > Of joy. And when eyes have had their fill, > Then taste the nectar poetry can distill. > > Woo Browning's histrionic vivid power; > Let Shelley' s beauty spell a trancéd hour > Under blue skies where he so liked to r ove , > Conceive his poems, meditate his Lo ve , > > But Iook, how cloud-wisps fill the pastel sky > Presenting its own poetry to the eye; > Upan the river silver moonlight glows; > The water rippling as the soft breeze blows. > > Now r adí ant has come the sunset time. > And we can leave all artificial rhyme > For the r apt poesy that Nature gives > To every heart that burns where Beauty thrives. > > Twin cedars dark against a luminous west, > The eastern sky in softer colors dr e s s edy-. > All this mild beauty so intrigues the heart, > We're fain to stay and helpless to depart. > > And now more luminous grows the sil ver moon > Riding a pink and azure sky in tune > With sorne faint mystic meaning, as if to say > 11! > bring new joys with the departing day. 11 > > Pack up the lunch thi ng s , Put each precious book > Safe in the satchel. Take one lingering look > At Nature Is wide drcumference of beauty - > Then, ba ck to ci vilization and to duty. > > Forget, Forgi ve > > Forget, forgive! > We have but once to Ii ve , > Why clutter up the years > With obstacles arid fears? > > Let us not hold so fast > To troubles that have pa s s ed , > There come new suns > As each year runs - > And pe a ce will dawn at last. > > Love > > An ounce of the attar of Lov e > Outweighs mere gol d, > Outshines the fairest gems, > Thrills more than story ever told, > Outvalues pa.Lac e s and pomp > And all the clas sic beauty > Oí a world grown old. > > Elyseum > > Elyseum is where you are, Mavou rn ee n! > Contentment is the land in which you dwell. > And where the sunshine gilds those Deathless Fields, > You walk amidst the flowers of asphodel. > > Joy > > Joy, from her own high cour t, > Wandered one day to Earth. > She found it a disheveled place, > Where wastrel mirth > Too much debased. Where grace > Of a true happine s s was naught, > > Then filled with quick dismay > She turned to haste away - > But the Creator laid a staying hand > Upan her spi r it, with the soft command: > > "Sta y here! No accident > Caused your abrupt d e sc ent, > 'Twas as We planned. > Your presence here is meant > To change the pulse of Earth; > To replace sin and sadness > With sanctity and worth, > And to establish gladnes s. > You are the envoy of my Love. > That life is good, it is your task to preve. 11 > > Cupid Recks Not > > Among earth1s fair ones we pick and choo s e , > This one for intellect, that for wit - > But Love does not enquire whom his arrows hit, > Nor upon whom to ca st his noose! > > To Irene - Aged Six > > Irene, you bring from sunny Greece > A nature all inclined to "pe a ce 1¡ > Just as your narne implies. > Beauty dwells upon your fa ce , > You move with vibrant strength and gr a ce , > And wisdom lights your e ye s , > > Whence is deri ved that extra sen se, > That quick and sure intelligence > Which colors all you do? > Your roots reach long into the pa st - > Do racial qualities still last? > Is the Greek genius true? > > Imagination still can trace, > In classic features of your fa c e , > The beauty that was Greece. > In all things to be moderate > Is in you such a ruling trait > As Plato could r el ea s e , > > To aid you in your upward way > Is but a rightful debt to pay, > Which the world owes > To the Greek mind, which ever sought, > And found by concentrated thought , > Light where the spirit glows. > > Poetry > > Greatness inhabits poetry, so it s e ern s , > Not by strange meter s or enraptured d r earn s , > But lending luminosity to simple themes. > > O Come to Me, My Love > > The wind is sighing: > "0 come to me, my love, > While in the west the day is dying > And clouds are lit with gold above l " > > The twilight birds are calling > And laughs the distant Ioon, > And now refreshing dew is falling > In the shadow of the rrioon, > > O come to me, my Iove] > For the night is not complete > Save as thy beauty > With the beauty of the stars doth meet. > > Joy Versus Happiness > > Like dawn and sunset colors > Happiness is transitory - > But joy is as abiding as the air we breathe. > > Happiness is ephemeral; > It is like the morning dew, > Which when dissapated by the glare of day > Is as if it had never been. > But joy is as constant as Nature1s rythmic pulse. > > Happiness is a gift at times bestowed > By the benevolence of God . > But joy is our own victory over life. > > To the Sanbo rris , (Proprietors of Mountain View > House, North Woodstock, N. H.) > > Yea r s, treat them gently as they treat their guest. > Life is a car avans e r aí , at best - > A Golden Inn where friend encounters friend, > And celebra tes that tie to journey' s erid, > > The First Letter > > Your letter charged with radiant love is here, > The first received since we were forced to part. > Its very penstrokes fill my soul with ch e e r , > Its words electrify my yearning h e a r t, > > A joy so great could not in normal peace > Be ruminated, as one tastes content, > Sorne action must the tensing nerves release. > And so along th e terraced walk I went. > > The river pines in the soft summer ní ght, > The eres cent moon and the undying stars > Whispered to me sorne Island of Delight, > Where time and trouble set no irking bar s. > > And now this view, that with such beauty teems, > Dissolves into strange distances that lead > Beyond this world, into a land of dreams, > Where souls on love' s ambrosia ever feed. > > You are My Audience > > You are my audience - > You can understand > My r aptur e s , my creative dreams. > You hold my hand > While r ag e s the daemonic force > That brings fruition where abundance teems. > > The world as yet is little keen > To listen to my songs. > It goes its somber ways > And gives to Ca e s a r what to him belongs. > It has no time to pause and j oy > In scent a nd hue of roses at my gate. > Its pre ssing duties sweep it swift along - > And I am only still an oth e r one > Amidst the busy pulsing throng. > > I am only one, to many - > But to thee, belové'd, all. > This is my joy and inspiration. > This is the hopeful call > Of Destiny to me, bidding me strive > Creatively > While faith is still a.Iive , > > Love K.nows no Limit > > Lave never can be limited in scope. > As sight is nothing if not constant seeing - > So lave is nothing if it does not reach > To every nook and cranny of our being. > > Beauty > > One thing I see quite cl.ea r - > That life' s transcendent beauty > God holds supremely d ea r , > But what can we sa y of duty? > > The one has eminent dorn aí.n, > . Is the other an intrusion? > And if we can not both r etaíri, > Which wins in the confusion? > > It well may be the cosmic plan > To unite one with the other; > And only in the mind of man > Is duty any bother. > > On a Sunset Hill > > Life struggles, forges ahead somehow. > Earth is sore-furrowed with the plough; > Harvests are yielded only to delve and toil; > What we would gain, we scatter all to wi n] > We strive, we sweat in daily work and moil, > And when we seek to bring our harvests in, > The joy they give is never sweet enow. > > But in a mom ent, on a sunset hill > By a thrush- choraled thicket crowned, > Life discovers how it can stand still - > All cares, all sorrows drowned; > While Earth and Heaven the charmed senses fi Il , > And Eternity stands close a r ound , > > Discarnate Lave > > Shelley, in a letter to his friend Gisborne, wrote: 11! > think one is always in lave with something or other; > th e error - and I confess it is not easy far spirits > cased in flesh and blood to avoid it - consists in seek- > ing in a mortal image the likeness of what is perhaps > eternal. 11 > > It is no t earthly lave the poet seek.s, > But a brief foretaste of the lave divine - > That tender passion that invites and heals > Hearts that in bitter loneliness repine. > > Where such compassion flows in human f r arn e , > Th e poet hastens to absorb and give > That ecstasy which union can impart > To all that breathe and warmly move and live. > It is this Spirit that encompasses > The planet, far its paradisal good, > To move each being into ha rrnony > With the celestial, universal mood. > > The poet brings to all this human love > Intuitive power of sight > And seeing far beyond the multitude > Discovers Love's more deeply hid delight. > > Love Flew with Ti red Wing s > > Young lave, she flew with tired wings > Burdened with pas sions Is weight; > Till wearily she let passion fall - > Oh! Then she rose to heaven1s gate , > > Young Love > > Our love was born amidst the April bud s , > And grew like them to flower > Beneath the aun, > Ah, radiant days! > When all the earth burned with the spring's caress, > And beauty reigned on every heath and hí Il , > > So faí'nt at fir st the life > That trembled on ea ch bush and tree, > Scarcely could Hope itself foresee > The glorious growth of leaf and blossom. > And love, beneath the guise of friendship, > Grew likewise swiftly to its flower of faith > And made an Eden where our hearts could dwell. > > The first smile that trembled on your lips > Was like the stir oí Nature in her spring. > And the first look, full orbed, > That flashed from soul to soul - > Was like the blue oí April skies, > Giving a hint oí Summer's pa r adí s e , > > Only a Spring-time idyll? > Ah, then bid Spring forever stay! > That you may still smile on , > And I may dr e arn , > Until life's fateful final day, > > Why Wake I with Such Joy? > > Why wake I with such joy? > Thy heart indeed to my heart must have spoken; > And in the silence of the night > Exchanged love' s token. > > Daylight is d e ce i ví ng , > But in the Spirit world > All secrets are unveí.Ied , > All mysteries unfurled. > > Look in my eyes and say again > The words you said beneath the stars! > Tell me again th e spirit cannot stay > A prisoner behind its earthly bar s. > > I Drink > > I I feast on the charm of y9ur fa c e , > Your love is a constant surprise > And a freshly given grace. > > Each day is a glory renewed. > Each night a mystic thrill. > From what magic is love brewed, > That its quaff can never fill? > > How Can We Part! > > One more embrace! > Smooth ba ck your hair > And let me gaze upon your face > And feast upon the beauty th e r e , > Your lips again to kí s s , > Sharing compelling bliss! > Thus magnetized by lave > My feet refuse to rriove , > I cannot bear to pa r t > From the e , Dear Heart! > Can Heaven offer more than this? > > Antoinette is Coming > > Sing for me, thrush, and gaily sing, > For Antoinette is coming! > Sing jubilantly, then, and let your song > Suit my heart's humming. > > Our Love > > If it were given me to chant our love > I might build thereto a choir of heavenly song. > And yet, because earth sense is so earth-bound > I merely sing of joys that might belong > On any planet underneath the sun, > Forgive me, dearest, that Ido our love such wrong! > > I Loved Thee > > When the Fates their webs were spinning > In the misty maze of Chao s , > In the infinite beginning > Before earth or sea or sky was - > I loved the e , > > When the primal germ of being > Dormant lay in Natur e+s bo s orn; > When there was not sight nor seeing > And the soul knew not its freedom - > I loved th e e , > > When what was to be created > First took shape in mind of Chronos; > When the e a r th and sky were mated > And the Chaos became Cosmos - > I loved the e. > > All the while that earth lay basking > "Neath the r adí ant glow of sunshine, > In her bosom all life masking > Ready to obey the God- sign - > I loved the e , > > When first man arose divinely, > Walked upright and knew hi s hour; > And the female built more finely, > Held man Is might with gentler power - > I loved the e , > > And through life's eternal journey - > Since my love is part of Being - > Who would choose to rend you from me? > Even God would choose not , seeing > How I loved thee ! > > You > > You are to me > The bounty of the sea, > Its tangy freshness; > The richness oí the land > That with an open hand > Dispenses lar ges s. > > To me you bring > Th e beauty oí the Spring, > Its endless gladness; > And Summer Is cheery sun > Through which each dusk is won > Without chill or sadness. > > Each season brings respite, > Each day has new delight > With you beside me. > So may the years go by > And through eternity > Your love betide me. > > Beyond Spa c e and Time > > Whether he r e , or whether the r e , > I carmot dream you shall not share > Your life with mine, my life with yours ,- > Yea, a.Iwa y s , with a heart that wears > The imprint of my wakening kiss > As love' s fluorescent consciousness. > > Romance > > lf love's our romance, > No day is too long. > For hearts that dance, > Life is a song , > > While blue rules the sky > Da y can 't depart. > With you nearby, > Joy rules my heart. > > Aspects oí Eternity > > I had explored the mysteries oí space; > Wonders of human life; the subtle grace > Tha.t Beauty daily emanates; the joys > That Nature through her Universe deploys. > > But one region lay all unexplored; > I never realized Io ve , till I adored > Yourself; and in your cosmic !ove for me > Discovered aspects of eternity. > > There is no Measure > > How do I love you? Can one measure time, > Or set a limit to the sky1 s expanse? > Then why attempt by quantity to mete > That love which Time or Space cannot enhance? > > Summer Night > > O gentle breeze of summer night; > O blossoms that rnake sweet the air; > O fa ce so fair, for love Is delight; > O touch so sweet, O perfumed hair! > > How beautiful your pledgeful glance; > How soft the loving wor d s , and low; > How moonlight doth our love enhance > With softly scented winds that blow. > > A Sla ve to Love? > > Who would be sla ve to sill y !ove > When venture beckons him to rove? > Yet who would lonely pace the earth > When !ove has such a potent worth > To soothe the heart, inspire the soul , > And make life1s disparateness whole? > Upon the favoring gods it must devolve > To heal this problem that no man can solve. > > As I Awake > > As I awake from nightly dreams of thee, > The dawn spreads golden splinters on the hill; > And birds are choraling their serenade > In notes that seem to say: "She !oves me still! " > > .... -61- > Love > > Love is not something reason can opine; > It is not, like sunshine, generally spr ead, > Those only who have felt its spa r k divine > Can know how its eternal fires are fed! > > Ever > > ''I'll love you a.Iways l " is a theme > That thrills in poetry and song. > But íor eternity or for a da y - > It is not time but heart-beats that are long~ > > Let Us i n Joyance Walk > > Bel ovéd, let us in all joyance walk > Amidst lush greenness of eternal val e sr.; > There of our immeasurable love to talk; > Delight our hearts with fond romantic tales. > > We should walk on, nor turn to right or Le ft, > Our course is to sorne mystic gleaming goal, > Where de a r affection never is bereft > And fellowship is pleasant to the soul. > > And of the beauties that there meet our eyes, > And of love's splendors, let us truly tell > The world; that other Iove s , like ou r s , may rise > Skyward on sorne transcendent star to dwell. > > Mea Culpa! > > The love that should be thine, > I ch_erished but a day. > The love that might be mine, > I cast it quite away! > > Brahma > > There is a tree upon which sits > A bird that never flies. > The golden sun illumes its crest > And peaceful, sleeps upon its breast - > While far below, the world of action Ií e s , > > Pea ce > > Far from the raging cr owd, > Far from the surging sea - > Where perfect peace > Can never cease - > There would I dwell with the e , > > Love at a Concert > > Two at a concert, music and Iove , > Two souls merged in symphonic mood. > Arm against arm the warm blood beata, > But the pulse of two souls is a greater fl ood , > > Love Is Golden > > Love is golden. > When it gl.eam s , > Life's as golden > As it seems. > We are holden > To love1s rays > For the joyousness that plays, > For the magic of a kiss, > For the strange unending bliss > That fills embrace > Ever with sorne new delight; > And endows > Lovers' vows > With both heat and light. > > Love' s Devotion > > I waft you my spirit1 s devotion, > The highest love man can know - > A love that the heart tips with fire > And the soul suffuses with glow. > > Such love has no form to grow old; > No weight gravitation resists. > As Iove , its existence is timeless; > As spirit, it moves as it lists. > > O Sweetheart > > O sweetheart! > There be many hearts that beat > Th e faster for thy fairy fac e , > Yet none with a more ardent heat > Than mine. Then grant me chiefest place > Amidst the fick.le changes of thy grace. > > The Open Air > > Sometimes the passion seizes me to go > A-roaming; > A wanderlust that drives me o'er the lea > And bring s me home at dusk > Amid the gloaming. > > Sometime s the lengthening shadows of the sun > Are fingers beckoning me to walk. > Sometimes I think the evening lies more close > When through the Le a ve s , > One h e a r s th e whisper of a dying b r e e z e , > > Sometimes I hate to leave the open air - > It seems as if my soul found comrades the r e , > Sometimes I think I'll follow when the voice > Comrriand s that between home of man and Nature' s > haunt s , > Forevermore I make a lasting choice. > > Glad News! > > Leave s, sing in the soft breeze > This glad refrain: > 11! > shall see her again soon, > See her soon again. 11 > > Waves lapping on the shore, > Lisp it soft but clear: > "I shall be with my b e.lovéd , > Soon be with my dear! 11 > > Gulls floating in the sky > Spell me, by your fl.íght > And in mystic symbols weave > The theme of my delight: > 11She > '11 be her e tonight! 11 > > Far Meadows > > On the far meadows of the world > Where blows the asphodel, > I would with thee, Dear Heart, recline > And all my lave retel!. > > There shall no evil enter there > And nothing to annoy. > For this is Io ve Is sweet sanctity > All dedicate to joy. > > And here the magic hours shall pass > While Time itself stands still; > And here the heart a fragrance breathe > And take of Love its fi Il , > > Thi s is a Land of no Returri, > An Empire of the Heart - > No boundaries to its dornaí.n, > No horizons apart. > > The Garden Tryst > > Bel.ové'd, come to me! > Over the garden, shadows softly mo ve , > And Natu r e+s subtle spell invites to love. > So come to me! > > Longing for thee > The heart within me turns to sadness > And all my being burns with madness > For love of th ee , > > Be lové'd, hasten here! > The golden moon will make our spirits bright > While summer perfumes ravish the still ní.ght, > Dear He a r t, be near > For my delight! > > One Hour > > God gave us one sweet hour of Pa r adí s e , > How we arrived there, and by what device, > I know not; or why He will not let us stay > In this r apt spot forever and a day. > > Dreamland > > Where have I been! A memory lingering, > Fails to establish a revealing clue. > From half asleep I wake with strange delight; > This hour in dreamland I may have spent with you! > > I Left You > > I left you and the spirit drooped its wings > And forgot the song it daily sing s > Since you and I were one , > How trails its path along the dust, > How the glad beatings of its heart are hu sh ed, > How faded is its ga rb, > That once of Love ' s own golden threads was spun! > > PART II > > POEMS OF THE SPIRIT > A Thought in the Midst of Nature > > Get rid of your little self, > It only stands in the way! > Become empty, > Then fill your self with the Universal; > Let it flow into you > And occupy the spa ce hitherto occupied by the self. > > Live in the Universal, > Act from the Universal, > And you will be come empowered by the Universal. > > There is no Abstract > > There is no abstract Love , but only love > In reference to other s - vital streams > That surge from pole to pole and subtly cha r g e > The batteries of life with paradisal dr e arn s , > > There is no Beauty but is palpable, > To blossom forth in roses, paint the sky > With sunset hue s , ernbue the human flesh > With gr ac eyand bring each seed to fructify, > > There is no abstract Godj but only Life > Expressed in for m s that rythmically be at > With cosmic energy. And back of these - > The Traceless Cause of all that is concrete. > > Reas surance > > Why did you lea ve us at the prime of life? > There was no sin, no failure, or no strife > To cause your going. Rath e r , your too young days > Were spent in fair and ever praiseful ways. > Y ou stood the well belové'd and the dear > To all who knew you, and your path seemed clear > To fame, to fortune, and to great achievement. Now > You lie beneath fields where flowrets grow, > Fair in their springtime ecstasy; but to you > Their beauty - all earth's beauty - forever lost to view. > It is not just of Destiny to play this pa r t > Of tragedy, and steal you from our mournful heart. > You had many y ea r s to Li ve , to Io ve , to jo y, > On this fair pl.anet , Death claimed you yet a child - > Passed many to whom life was aging grief > To seize your youth. Too cruel such a fate, beyond belief. > > Dear grieving friends, you know earth-life is fair, > But think you life yields no joy, no beauty here > In this land unknown to you, now known to me > In dawning splendor as death' s shadows flee? > Be lo véd , no scene that earthly eyes behold - > .No mountain range upsoaring fold on fold, > No sea coast with dark cr ag s and shining sho r e , > No gracious woodlands whispering their leafy lore > Can in the slightest vie with scenes we see > Beneath this glorious cosmic can opy, > Beauty to you is but an írnag e faint > Of that great Beauty celestial seasons paint. > Bright exquisite episodes and joys of dr e arn s > Granted at times to mortals - now it seems - > Were but a foretaste of tha t joy divine > Which this immortal life doth render mine. > > What More Can I Ask? > > Here I am in the midst of b eauty, > Gazing over the tree-rimmed river > Toward the horizon of Eternity. > What more can I ask or want; > Save that all who thus sit here - > Now and in the future years - > Will also feel th e Pea ce of God > And a tranquil joy of living. > > Cosmic Gr ac e > > All creatures share the divine gift of life, > But human life is more than flesh and blood; > And man alone, of all created things, > Is gi ven appetite for spiritual food , > > Alone of all created things, his soul > Escapes disintegration and decay; > He needs Bread oí Heaven for this g r owth , > And Divine guidance on his cosmic way. > > Let brutes fulfill their blinded destiny, > Let molecules cohere by na.tur e ' s Iaw, > But man may mount to more empyrical heights > By secret paths his spirit vision saw, > > Man' s power is to consciously contact > The cosmic Energy, the creative Might > That buoys th e universe with vibrant life, > And floods man' s spirit with celestial light. > > Why This Sadness? > > We have not destroyed thy joy, > But only the obstacles to joy. > Hast thou not heard > That thou must love Us more than these? > Our love is j ea.Ious , > And it brooks no rival Iove , > > Thy heart is Our terrestial home. > But how can the Beloved abide with strangers > in thi s home ? > The temple of thy being is Our throne - > But must be purged before we reign therein. > Then loo sen the world Is hold upon thee. > Love , farn e; and riches, > These earthly shadows melt away > When Sunlight scatters darkness from its path, > > The Greatest Truth > > The pity is, life' s greatest truth > That takes away from life all ruth > Is still too little known to man. > The Milky Way he learns to sean, > And all creation tries to sp an; > Escaping what a child may find, > A truth not conquered by the mind - > That God is here and God is kí nd, > And we are part of Hi s eternal plan. > > Involuted Force > > Matter is involuted force. But what, essentially > is force? > Here lies a cosmic mystery - to trace life to its > primal source. > > The Source is One - there is no mediation, no > difference between > Matter in universal patent motion, and force > that noves un s e en, > > But man, on the periphery of life, is torn > by dualism. > Matter is the stage on which he a ct s , but > Spirit brings a s chí sm , > > Man lived as matter and obeyed its laws - he > moved as nature Is al.ave , > Like birds and beasts he strove for daily bread > from infancy to grave. > > And like dumb brute s, was buffeted and moved > by Motion-under-Law. > But Man is more than matter, and his soul > outmastered all it saw, > > For Man is sparked by that sarn e vital Force > that everywhere deploys > Matter in myriads of specious forms > the universe enjoys. > > Man also is deployed - submission is hi s > fealty, hi s par t. > But his seeming helplessness need yíeld no more > than fealty of heart. > > Man I s m.ind, in union wi th the Central Mindg; > the Pulse-Beat of Existence - > Enables him to mold a mastered world > against its dumb resistance. > > The Demiurge > > What Cosmic Power lies behind the birth > Of suns and constellations? > What purposed pattern governs all the growth > Of people and of nations? > > Nature is not hapha za.r d, Even rocks > Obey the Cosmic Will; > And lofty mountains melt to nothingness > Under continuous rill. > > We live by years and centur e s , and sean > í > > A stable wor ld, it seems. > But Time, when viewed as a foreshortened film > Make s life a garish dream. > > For as in nightmar es , scenes so swiftly change > That eons pass as hour s, > Earth1s story is a drama strangely shown > Of vast Titanic powe r s , > > Life Eternal > > Self-love and Cosmic Lave > Cannot at the same moment > Occupy the house of the soul. > One or the other > Must be par amount, > > If self-love rules > This house will not be sanctified. > It will remain a pagan temple, > Dedicated to selfishness, to pride, > And to a host of di sha rrnoní.c a, > > He only who will lose his life > Shall save it unto Life Eternal! > > Regal in the Realm of Spí r it > > What is the es sence of r eldg ion ? > It is attuning oneself to the Uní.ve r s e , > Existence is a symphony > Where ea ch must play his part harmoniously. > Mere goodness, of itself, is not enough. > 'l'h~ state of harmlessness, so worth attaining, > Is only the first step toward ultimate perfection. > To be fulfilled we must be greater than our deeds. > We must become the rulers oí our soul s- > And regal in the realm oí Spirit. > > Celestial Gue st > > Come in, my Lord, and take your place; > You are awaited her e, > The hearth is swept, the house is filled > With an expectant cheer e > > At lastYou come! At last You deign > Our emptiness to fill! > Without Your presence walls are bare > And joy stops at the sill. > > Awaiting You with longing heart > We lived but for this day, > And now we have one boon to ask: > Here may Your Presence stay; > Here may Your love its blessings pour > Forever and for a ye! > > The Little Child > > Why Before us > As example of perfection? > It is because the child is full of cheer, > Full of expe ctatfon, > And devoid of animosity. > > The child can lean upon the Universe > With faith free from all anxiety. > lf we could but remain thus chfldlfke , > And still possess the mind and will of the adult, > We should arrive at life's maturity. > > Journey Through the Night > > Come, O soul., let us through prayer > Rise high above the planes of care > To the Throne of Eminence > Where angels chanta heavenly air > Of aweetne e a, awe and reverence > For that divine unseen Presence > Which all beings ,~l'om their birth > Strive toward, as the rotating Earth > Strives toward the Sun, yet never reaches. > So gravitate all thíng s, all czeatur-ee, > Ali beings both oí Earth and Heaven, > All essences of the planes aeven, > > The night is young ~ there is yet time > To journey to this heavenly clime. > The body we will leave behind - > Too heavy for the soul and mind > To carry through such starry spaces; > Too gross to share celestial graces. > Let it be tb.ere wrapt in sleep, > Let it rest in slumber deep. > Such a journey would fatigue it8 > Such an altitude would grieve it. > > Re st in peac e, then, body dear - > We shall find you lying here > On our return; and when you wake > You may of our joys partake. > You will greet a happier dawn > And forget ali times forlorn. > You will wonder why you sing; > But no remembrance will you bring > > To penetrate your grosser state, > Except this ecstasy elate > Like music at God's Heavenly Gate. > > This Planetary Task > > Would you enlarge the pattern of your lives? > Love one anothe r ! > He who for self too much contrives > Manages to smother > The soul within him. > If we would fill our life Is cup to the brim > And rejoice the angels of our birth, > We must love our fellows every one , > And hasten to establish unity upon this strife-torn earth; > There is no foreignness beneath the sun. > The divine bounties follow him who ever strives > To be to all mankind a brother. > Then take no rest until this planetary task is done. > > The Divine Presence > > What is this Presence that the saints speak of? > We can't see God, as Moses saw Him in the Burníng Bush > We do not hear Him calf , as Samuel did; > We do not feel Him take our hand to r se,í > > As did the child of Rome Is centur ian, > Yet we can feel His Presence if we so elect; > And by much seeking we can draw Him to us. > > Love Conquer eth All > > Say not that Lave is blind. > It hath a keener sight > Than any hawk that swoops its prey > From airy height. > > Say not that Love is weak. > There is no !ion so strong. > It cleaves unto its trembling prey > A time lif e-long. > > Say not that Love is vain. > The universal law > Enjoins that death and lave be man1s > For evermore. > > Say not that Love is false. > It is the binding force > That maketh law and freedom one > From the same s our ce , > > The Feast at Canna > > At Canna Is íeast our Lord broke bread, > And gave Hi s friends the gift of wine - > To prove that earthly joys are good > And !ove may flow as comrades dí.ne , > > Joie de Vi vre > > When things flow normally, it is a joy > Just to exist, to feel, to thrive > As part and pulse of Universal force - > Rej oicing in the gift to be ali ve. > > This consciousness of life, this inwardness > Of power is foretaste of Eternity, > Where all things flow in a transcendent stream > And vivid thoughts become reality. > > Then stop, from time to time, to savor Ií fe , > And let the world slip by without concern > Of time or trouble - k.nowing every joy, > Once tasted, cannot fail but to return. > > The Cosmic Melody > > As the Cosmos vibrates musically, > And all else s ta.y s still > This rnu s c, all-embracing > í and intoxicating; > It has no prelude or conclusion. > While drink.ing in th e golden notes of the > Celestial flute , > The h e a r t forgets to beat. > > Thi s music never ceases, > But our capacity to hear is transient; > For mortal frame cannot endure too long > Such ecstasy of Being. > > I Can 't See God > > I can 1t see God, > He is beyond my ken! > But yet I can envision Him > In many things around me. > I can see Him in the flowers of spring, > In sprays of apple blos soros, > And in the r apt hearts of roses. > > I can see God in the lilting flight of birds > And hear Him in their joyous s ong s, > I can see Him in the foliage > That gently flutters in the summer b r e e z e , > I can see Hirn in the azure sky > Softly fleeced with floating cl.oud s , > > And I can see Him be st in fellow men - > Men of integrity and solid worth; > Men of splendidly creative minds, > Of noble hearts and dedicated souls. > In women whose gracious syrnpath y, > Like sunshine, warms the path of Ii fe , > And coaxes growth in children as in fl.owe r s , > > And I can see Him in the little child > Who constantly beholds our Father' s fa ce , 11 > The child, who comes from Heaven > "Ta-ail.íng clouds oí glory as he comes. 11 > Here I perceive the divine qualities > Of freshness and of spontaneity; > Swift powers oí creativeness; > A cosmic love which is outflowing > Without the limitations of de aí gn, > Or any bounda r e s , > í > > I can not here see Godo > But I can see so many lovely things on eaxth > Which speak to me of God, > That l can feel I know Him intimatel v- > > The Way > > The sage studies the nature of exí stence > So that he can establish harmony within himself - > And thus with othez s, and the Universe. > He avoids pzíde as lifeºs chief arroganceº > He expresses gentlenes s, humility and Iove; > And by so doing wins all people to hírn, > Because he eeeks only to gíve, > No one opposes him. > He constantly adores that One > Whose e s sence is Celestial Harmony > Whose inner mystery is Love, > > Zen > > A cup must be empty before it is fiUed; > The subtlest music is when sound is stilled. > Frail feather s can safel y outride the storm~ > Kind souls traverse danger without any harm. > > Who strives for self has a pitiful goal; > Forgetting the self endows man with the Whole. > > Forgetting time gives us endless birth. > And love rnake s us deathless while still on Earth. > > -83- - > > ---------- > What do You Now, Bright Spirit? > > Bright spirit0 tell me prayv what do you now? > Does-Heaven urge to actfon, as on Earth? > Do neceasary taaks await ycur skill? > Or are you in a world where pensive thought > Holds your attentíon, holds you all enrapt? > Where Beauty wea ves her magic spell > And you recline in fields of asphodel? > > Have you forever left the ti.es of Earth? > Or are you cognizant of deeds done her e, > Where aU. the world's a stage, and drama shifts > Inconsequentially to teae s and gloom > From grateful stretch of warm and halcyon days? > Are you disturbed by these events? And do > You yeazn to rectify what mortals wrong? > Ala s, it is no Heaven where angels mourn > Or are concerned with the affaire of Earth > More than is naedful, from their vantage poínt, > > 00 not for you, up There0 to be constrained > Or worry longer against chance or fate > Which actí vates the drab concerns of Earth. > You are at peace, you live in quiet powe r , > Concerned with loftier activities > And glories past our boundaries oí thought, > > You need not look below. But we have need > To look Above, haply to seek you There > By means of faithful love and earnest prayer , > We need your help, the vibrance of your love, > That added power all souls possess above; > We need your guídance, spirit counseling, > > We need what sainUy comfort you can bring > From that Abstraction we call Pa r adí s e , > We need what Higher Wisdom can devise > To urge our spiritual progress now and he r e , > Preparing us for service in your Sphere. > > Then hold our hand s, be with us night and day. > Lend us your bz-ightne as , that we wend our way > To that immortal bour ne , so strange to this, > Where light and joy share an eternal bliss. > > Only There Remains! > > Life is ephemeral - > Only there remains > The noble profile of the hills, > Grandeur of mountain-chains. > > The strongest th r one s will break, > And dynasties will fall; > As for earth1s comrnone r s , > Oblivion covers al.I, > > Chang e , change, change! > Extinction follows life; > The Reaper with his ruthless scythe, > Time with impetuous knife. > > OuUasting all the hills, > More durable than rocks > Love , only, can eternalize > And wiri against Time's shocks. > > The Mystery of Life > > The mystery of life! > Is it deoxyribone-nucleic-acid? > Or is it something el se, > Beyond the realm of physics and biology? > > He who would penetrate thí a mystery > Must penetrate behind the veil > That matter hangs before our eyes > To curtain off Re ali ty; > Must first acquire new powers of sí.ght, > Gain other eyes to see, > That matter is but spirit in disguise. > > Make this the primary axiom > Of a new search for Truth - a trail > That leads beyond the ken of the materialist > To a new universe of Spirit; > Spirit that creates and molda to forro > Ali matter that our outer sight r eveal s , > > Let.' s ata rt; then, with this axiom, > An axiom which logic cannot prove. > For as Ouspensky says, > The Spirit deals in other terms > Than those the Greeks established. > Call it "illogic", call it "Intuí tí on ", > Call it what you will - > So long as you acknowledge this: > That matter is but Spirit in disguise. > > This stupidity of the materialist, > The Hindus hada name for t, í > > Milleniwns ago they called it Mayaness ~ > Strange blindness causing hwnans to remain > Contcnt at the mere gateway to the Universe, > When all they had e.xplored > Was that which Life externalized. > "Maya" - "Dlusion" - a good name > For deoxyribone-nucleic-acid! > > But let' s forget the physicist, > And with new eye explore the Uníver se , > With this new-eye .. of-God we shall discern > In every atom doors to certain Truth - > To knowledge that transcends the sense-wczld, > This is the Univerae we should explore, > The Noosphere, as Chardin called it. > > Let'a realize that we are a part - > A struggling, still evolving part - > Of a stupendous Stream of Life > That flows through ali Eternity e > And in tbis realm, Spirit-ruled, > What is the role that man mu.st play? > Let' s lea ve the laboratories for a while - > Leave lene and scalpel to the scientists - > And venture into new-dimensional fields > Unexplored by footrule or by telescope. > > Let's realize0 with our inner sight,, > We stand upon the threshold oí a magic age, > The da wn of a new da y; > Whenall hwnanity wi.11 find its way to God, > Or be sloughed off, perhaps, > By cosmologic fate. > > The most tha.t sctence can perform > Is feed and clothe ua, give us domí cík, > And speed us thxough the vacant skies > Like Ovid Is hor seman > Ever followed by our discontent. > Science brings no panacea; no cure~allp > It has no remedy for Life itself! > Spirit0 only11 can perfect the life > Thai staxted on Creation's fateful day, > > Unspiritual.ma.n is creature of eventa; > Victim of circumstance; > Flotsam and jetsam on the stream of life; > Caught in a whirl to which he has no clue, > This tragic situation he well knows ~ > But ignores its r emedy, > > But spiritual man knows his directions; > Holds his tiller fearlessly > Through sunshine and through storm, > To distant harbors of success - > Supreme of which is how to live ser enefy, > The man of Spirit knows his goal s; > He knows his powex, too - > Whence and how it is derived > To motívate; to energize and heaf, > He walks upon the earth > As man was meant to walk on that far day > Whenfirst he stood ezect, > Looked skywazd, > And began his human evolutíon, > > Yes11 skyward is the look > And skyward is the goal, > Man led by spirit is no stranger on the eazth, > Tha.tvery Power that created him > Now recreates hírn, too; > > ~88- > Guides him in pe rpl exity, > Empowers him when we ak, > Rejoices him when sa d, > And gives him never failing strength > For noble deeds) > Deeds free from greed and strain. > > But why go on, > The catalog oí these celestial gifts - > Prolonged ad infinitum - > Would not convert a single soul , > Spiritual life is an experiential one - > We learn by doing. > Argument can never win a soul to God, > Or lead one into ways oí Spirit. > > Ali we can say is: > "Come, you who are athir st, > And drink from thí s perennial spring! 11 > Destiny pe r suade s , but never forces. > And many rrien, pe rhaps , will choose to stay > Within the limitations oí the bí o sphe r e, > That there is another Sphere more potent to evolve ín, > Each human must discover for hírn s elfj;» > That inner mystery oí life > Which scientific thought can never penetrate. > > Matter and Mind > > Creation is idea turned into form; > Thought is the start oí deed; > All matter once was Mind; and still on Mind > Eternally must feed. > > Compassion > > Signa! of sor r ow, > Bearer of distress, > Why do you wake me in the d ead of night? > > Is it that I may share in someone's sufferings, > May add a prayer > For victims of misfortune? > > How sad the heart beats > As horror travels through the streets! > Yes, we mourn for even "one of the se ", > > But "over there 11 no sir en sounds - > Only the blast of bomb s, > Dangers that mangle life. > > What an idiotic world! > What insanity! > Here we mourn for even one who suffers. > > But over the r e , how we rejoice > That thousands die in agony, > Hostile souls whose tortures bring us only joy. > > Has the world gone mad? > Or has the world > Always been frozen in this crazy dream? > > It is time that we woke up. > Time we abolished wholesale needless death, > Swept it from our planet into the hell where it belongs. > > It is time war ceased - > Time that Love increased > Till all the world is held in Its ernb r a ce , > > If You Split the Atom] > > If you split the atom, you will find Him; > If you ride the heavens, He is the r e , > Nothing is, without His forming fiat; > Nothing lives without Hi s tender careo > > The Tao > > The soft overcometh the brittle > To yield wins more than to fíght, > Relinquishment solves every battle, > And meekness is greater than .mrght, > > Sensitivity > > Do not regret being born sensitive, > For sensitivity is an advanced quality > of the human race, > A chief factor of c r eatí ve genius. > To such souls - open and receptive - > Life open portals to celestial beauty. > > The Goal of Existence > > Shall we go journeying on, life after life, > Until we reach the Center of all being? > This is not reached by movement or by time, > But only by a different Power of Seeing. > > The La w of Planetary Love > > When will humanity progress > From brilliant function of the intellect > To a still more dazzling Age of Spirit? > > Should the burgeoning of Spirit win control, > Life will be paradisal. > From this perfectioning of man > Will flow world peace and b r othe r hood, > Fair distribution of the needs of life, > General culture and prosperity. > > Man has done well to rule the earth and sky º > Now let him wisely rule himself > Under the law of planetary Iove , > > Endles s Horizons > > Our greatest deeds are but a cheering hint > Of powers that lie buried deep within. > The planetary Spirit aids all those > Who daily strive to use their inborn gifts. > As we advance, horizons move ahead > And beckon us to splendid distant goals. > > O My Soul > > Dance to the co srrríc rythm, O my s oul , > For in each separate part inheres the Whole. > Space is no larger than the place you hold , > And Time a fairy- story being told. > > Why Wear Yourself Out? > > Save at the court of regal grace > hnperiousness is out of place. > The daily life does not support > Dem and s that are too fierce and short. > > Intensity will flag, at length, > Consuming its own store of strength - > Effortle s s action, like the sun , > Wins tasks before they are begun. > > What the World Needs > > The world needs peaceful souls > In order to build peace. > It needs united hearts > In order to establish unity. > It needs, in all of us , the realization of Reality, > And the ability to function on the Causal pl.ane , > > Why Does Man Create? > > Man creates because he has to. Not for farn e , And > not under mere compensatory compulsion, as > the psychologists absurdly claim. > Yes, creators create because they ha ve to - justas > a mother creates because she has to once con- > ception has taken place. > And so, with a crea ti ve pe r s on, once conception has > taken place delivery is almost inevitable; it > can not be evaded or postponed. The urge for > fruition overcomes all obstacles. > The genius creates because creation is the law of his > Ii fe , . ' > > The Child > > The development of the child should begin befare birth - > it should begin at conception. > The child should be wanted, and should be th e creation > oí a great mutual spiritualized lave. > The child should be an answer to the spiritual d em and, > "Ha ve children and raise them to the glory of > God , 11 > Prospective parents should aspire and pray to give birth > to the most perfect child pos si ble - a child en- > dowed with spiritual susceptibilities. > Parental prayers should nourish the soul of the embryo > justas the mother1s blood nourishes its body. > In this way marvelous children will be brought into > existence, and a New Rae e will be Io r m e d , > > Education > > Education is pa r t oí the expression oí the instinct oí > th e race to perpetuate itself. > Nature as sures th e biological continuance oí the r a ce , . > But man must consciously operate to assure the per- > petuation oí the knowledges, skills and mores > necessary for its successíul existence. > This inheritance is perpetuated only by that training > which we call education. > Edu cat.i on , in its fullest degree, is the hope oí the world. > > Life > > We cannot help recei ving life - we ha ve no choice. > But we do have a choice as to what we shall make > of our li ve s. > It was successfully to fulfill th i s choice that we were > placed upon this planet. > The mea.ning of life - of all life - is development. > This is within our power. > It is th e only thing within our finite power. > Development is not a ta sk , It is a pri vilege. > De ve lopm errt, with Divine aí d, is nota burden. It > is a joyous expression of the Self. > > Be a Cause of Well-Being > > "Be a cause of well-being to the human wor Idj !' sa ys > Abdu'l-Bah.!. > But to do this we must first cover the laws of well-being > and apply them in our own Ii ve s , > > Religion > > Man is not made for religion, so much as religion is > made for man - for his development, his > guidance a nd his joy, > Let us look upon r e.lí.g í.on, then, as a gladsome > pri ví Ieg e, a sanctified bí r thr ght, > í > > Let us become attracted to the Spirit, as we are > attracted to beauty and to love - with an > attraction so strong as to need little or no > volition on our pa r t, > > The Practice of the Presence of God > > All the Prophets have corn e not only to teach man the > knowledge of God; but to lead him into the > practice of the presence of God , > This is the panacea for all the troubles and ills of the > individual, but also for all th e troubles and i Il s > of society o > > But alas! How few accept and use this divine r erne dyl > From the love of God and His abiding presence all > oth e r values fl.ow , > Security in the midst of trials and tests; wise judgment; > intuition and guidance; happines s; health; and > even material success - do you want these > things? > Then seek cea. > For the perfect functioning oí society: jus tí c e , balance, > ha r mony, altruism, pe ac e , stability, material > prosperity and happirie s s , > Do we want this kind of a society? Then let us seek first > the Kingdom of God, and all the se things shall be > add ed, > > The Stages oí the Spirit > > SEVERANCE is not a s ce.ti ci sm , but a sort oí spiritual > alooíness and unworldliness. > RADIANT ACQUIESCENCE is the consent willingly and > joyously to live under the guidance of the Spirit. > EVANESCENCE is the complete emptiness of self; an > emptiness waiting to be filled from the Ocean of > Divine Love and Bounty. > SANCTITY is the complete union of man with the Spirit. > > The Cosmic Joy > > Let us realize the Cosmos as a vital spiritual r eal.íty, > and that matter is only Spirit in dí aguí se , > And let us realize ourselves as an intimate and > immortal part of this concrete manifestation > of Spirit - our universal environrnent and > home - the Cosmos. > Let us realize thi s not by any intellectual process > but by immediacy; by a super-rational con- > s ci ou s , to ou.r inmost being, oí our vital and > destined integration in this rich Cosmic Lífe , > Let us feel that joie de vi vr e , that joy of existence > which all nature expr e s s e s , > > The Ki.ng of Kings > > The Ideal King is to Himself sufficient. > His joy does not increase > From a.doration oí His worshippers, > Nor through their void decrease. > > Stop, Forget - Ye a, Cease to Think > > Why do birds sing? Why do squirrels gleefully leap > about? Why do insects make their choral > rnusic? > It is because all Natu r e radiates the joy of existence. > It is our intellect - with its anxieties and frustrations - > that veils us from this Cosmic Li fe , > We must again become as little children - recapture > the pristine art of feeling, in complete response > to our environment. > Quiet! Let the sunshine sink > O'er thy forehead, o1er thy rn ind , > Stop, forget - yea , cease to think. > Know wisdom is of higher kirid, > > Happine s s > > Happiness is an acquired a r t , > It is a letting-go of life, an art relaxation. > It is radiant acquiescence. > Happm e s s is contagious - if we are happy , > We can pass that happiness on to oth e r s , > Therefor let our greetings be: Are you happy? > Be happy! > > Cosmic Love > > How can we !ove everyone - even those who are > disagreeable? > With human Io ve this is impossible. > For human love is a mutual exchange of values; arid > when these values cea s e , love tends to cease. > > Not so with the love divine. What is this love divine? > It is something Cosmic. > It is a partial expression of that vast creative love > of God which constantly sustains and vitalizes > all existence. > When we become ablaze with this love we radiate it > out to everyone - without effort and regardless > of the worthiness or attractivenes-s of the obje ct > of our Iove , > This cosmic Iove , once e atabl.í shed, requires no effort > or volition. > Let us constantly charge our soul s from the coarní c > battery of Divine Love , > Then we can give love out spontaneously to everyone > and everything. > Let us include in thí s universal love the anírnafa, the > trees, the pl.ant s , the cl.oud s , and the infinite > ocean of the aky, > He who is full of this Love is also full oí joy. > He who doe s not know thi s Love doe s not know j oy º > For God is Love, And if we do not know Love, we do > not know God. > And if we do not know God, we know not joy. > > Service > > Service is the law of the Uníve r s e , > Service done with love unites us to the Heart of 'the > Cosmos. > Service done with love brings u s into oneness not only > with the Divine, but also with all other humana, > Service is the creative and unifying power of exí atence, > the motive of ali woxk, the means of coamí c > happiness. > > We can carry on he re, if we so choo se , without obeyance > ' to this law of s er ví ce, > But if we land in -the Other World without such training > our passports are invalid. > For all celestial activity takes on the form of joyous > se r ví ce, > > The Eternal Now > > How can we mortals escape the tyranny of time? > 'I'írne , as Lord Krishna showed, is a colossal power > that devours eve rythíng, > Time lashes us on, without rebate, to labor by the > cl.ock, > How can we escape subjection to this Cosmic Tyrant? > The same Power that rules as Time is also 'I'írnefe s s, > And the Power that subjects us to the limited world of > place is Placeless. > Let us by prayer and rnedíratton, rise above the limiting > world of time and pl.ace, till we attain the Ever- > lasting Now and the Supreme World of the > Placefe ss , > > The Phenomenal World > > The phenomenal world is under the law of chang e , > It is benign for the universal, but unpredictable > for the individual o > Spiritually undeveloped man lives under the law > of contingency. > He is the creature of circumstance and he knows it > to his dismay - flotsam and jetsam on the > stream of life. > > But this is not so with the spiritually developed man > who knows how to function on the Plane of > Cauaatí on, > Such a one navigates life with steady tí Ile r , sure > goal s, and full power to reach those goal s , > > The Science of Power > > Spirit is cauaal , > Spirit should have precedence over the world of > matter. > Spí r lt is the vital essence of exí st ence , > Spirit is the power that operates the Cosmos. > Therefor it is more important to study Spirit as > Power than to study the mere parts of the > Machine. > He who k.nows Spirit as Power knows be at how to > control and operate his earthly exi.stence. > > The Mind > > What is the mind? > It is a magic instrument, endowed with a discovering > and manipulating power. > But the mind is not the Self. > It is only an instrument of the Self, > The mind may be wea r y, the mind may become exhausted, > But the Self is not thereby exhausted. > When we realize the mind as an agent of the Self we can > better control its actions. > And when we dedícate our mind as well as our hearts > to God, it will show forth wondrous powe r s , > > ! > > Postulates of the Spirit > > ¡vptter is spirit in Disgiues > > MJ.tter is subject to spirit in all things > > Spirit can rroni¡:ulate rratter > > Spirit operates under the law of lave) > > service and self socrifice. > > — *Poems to Live By (Used by permission of the curator)*