Clear Crystals

Excerpt

MOTHER'S PRAYER

For this new day, our Father, we give thee thanks.
Thou hast blessed us with rest for our bodies,
The glories of a new day are upon us, a gift from above.
Let the light from heaven penetrate our souls,
and may this be the best of our lives, we pray.
Remember those less fortunate, dear Father,
May some messenger of thine bring joy to their hearts today.
Forbid we should shirk any duty coming our way,
for we are thy servants and desire to do thy will.
Our Dear Father thou hast blessed us with many dear ones.
I pray thy blessing upon each one, especially our soldier boys
That they may heed thy voice and follow thee
as their great and true leader. Forbid, dear Lord, that any one
of them be lost from the way in his search for the light.
Go before them and let light from above
make their pathway bright. Come into their hearts
and give them the peace that no man can give, neither can
take it away. I humbly ask these favors in Jesus name.
—KAY MCKEELet there be peace, let clouds and storm roll past,
And budding groves burst forth in little leaves.
When April showers flush the brooks and eaves;
May gardens grow and wheat go flowing fast.
Let there be peace on earth, that men may cast
Their hatreds far away and gather sheaves
Of golden days in patterns justice weaves;
That sunset hours may glow with love at last,
The atmosphere be filled with faith and light,
No war, nor bombs, no words of discontent.
Let there be peace on every hill and plain,
That men may live and toil with hearts alight,
That each may aid his brother in content.
Let grasses grow and flowers bloom again.

WHAT IS THIS WISDOM

Remaining staunchly there in shriveled earth,
The canna stood serene, refreshed by dew
That silently, each cooling night anew
Spread living gems to sparkle in their mirth.
Beneath, the bulb lay proving well its birth—
A shower passed, the funnel leaves caught true—
The plant awoke with life and beauty too.
And not a drop was wasted of the worth!
The bud refrained from coming into bloom,
As though it waited for the lusty rain,
With low leaves dried and drooping to the ground.
What is this wisdom in all nature's room
That fights to live and grow, and not in vain,
But God, whose strength in all things may be found.
Hear the rumbling of the trains,
Soldier trains.
Ever droning, jarring, roaring on the rails
Through the amber lights of dawn.
Hear them rolling right along
Now acoming and now gone,
Iron wheel follows wheel,
Round the bend of the river going strong.
They are taking our brave soldier boys
To the barracks. Hear the thumping of the drums
How they beat and beat and beat,
In the morning and at night,
Hear the tramping, marching feet,
All in line stepping fine
Hear the praying from the firesides down the street.
Hear the roaring of the trains,
Speeding trains
With the rumbling. Shouting home-boys off to war!
Now they travel to far shores.
See them waving their good-byes,
There's the girl that Joe adores
Waving hand, smiling band!
Hear the laughter from the windows and the doors.

DEAR POSSESSIONS

A loaf of bread with a glass of milk
With a roof that shelters and a restful bed,
A place to wear the faded silk
And a pillow for the aching head;
A kettle that sings while the night wind sighs,
And a cup of tea to drink;
A hearth to sweep and a babe that cries,
With a pile of dishes in the sink.
A home to keep and a man to love,
With a heart that is true and fine.
These precious things sent from heaven above,
Will be prized for yours and for mine.
Glad tears that rush like rivers down the cheek
Like gilding gold of morning's amber light.
O happy hearts, by hearths when wills are meek!
We welcome sun that chased away the night.
The weeping eyes will not acknowledge hate.
When lovers meet forgiven after pain,
Tears cleanse the heart and mind of fire and mote,
And freshen countenance and bleach the stain....