Psalm 67

May God cause His face to shine upon you

I am a passenger on a train,
Alone, in a full car at night,
And I feel the carriage's stress and strain,
And peer into the windowpane

And see there in the blanching light
The heads of other travelers.
No doubt they are doing what seems right,
Shading their eyes from anyone's sight,

And if they are laden with many years,
Or young, and full of a yearning heart,
Or blank, or idle, or welling with tears,
Or quick as a signal that disappears,

I cannot tell, from my world apart.
But I think if only I could say --
Or if someone else could make a start,
Or, what surpasses human art,

Lean to me in the simplest way
To whisper, "Friend, you are not alone,"
Ah, then the carriage would shine like day!
And emptiness would flee away.

For once in my travels a light shone,
A countenance I could not retain,
But he watches us as the wheels roll on,
The One I love, and the only One.

Comments

[Kamilla]

A perfect "nightcap", Tony. Thank you.

Kamilla

[Beth from TN]

Wow. What a perfect start to the day. Have been struggling with feeling out of sorts and generally wretched because of early meetings and wasted time. This brings perspective in oh, so lovely a fashion. Thank you again, Tony.

[Juli]

... your burdens I will bear

[Sr. Dorcee Clarey]

Twice in one week a poem from you. Thank you again, Tony. And thank you for reminding us to be witnesses to hope to all those God brings to us. A kind word, a touch of the hand, and/or a smile go a long way.