Lion and Lamb
By Cora E. Cypser
ISBN: 0-9625774-4-8
Published by KIM
PATHWAYS, 1992
Seek and You Shall Find
Lord, be with these
hands
that they may write
only what is so.
Be with this mind
that it may think the truth
and reason out the truth.
Guide me in wisdom
for with all my heart
I seek to find you.
1
Isaiah 25:6
On this
knoll rising
out of the infinite
the Lord has set a feast
for all peoples
a succulent word of life
of meaty thoughts
a banquet ushering in
the reign of love
for all.
We here can see
the shining of each other.
The plague of death
is gone forever
banished by that which hosts
the banquet table!
2
Psalm 39:12
Yahweh, I am your
guest
in your house, earth
and I partake of all the
bounty
at your table.
All good things
you dispense with lavish hand.
But what of those
the beggars at your door?
Please let them in
that they may share with me
and know you
for the generous host you are.
Must I play host for you
and leave my favored place
to draw them in?
Why, I am but a puff of wind
a thimbleful of spirit.
How can I act for you
whose deeds declare forever?
Beyond Flesh
When they ate the produce of the land
there was no more manna.
God feeds us
until we can feed ourselves.
God supports our bodies
until our spirits can live
without bodies.
3
Roadway for The Ruler
Make way in the
desert
a highway for our God!
There are winds of change
blowing
the sands drifting, stinging
suffocating.
It is frightening
but the ruler is coming.
We must clear the sands
and lay stones for a highway.
Gather your white robes tight
over your faces
friends, sisters, brothers.
Pass the round worn rocks
from hand to hand.
Lay them.
Come!
Make the highway!
4
From Competitive to Cooperative
It’s time to take
a jump for
young mankind
a new direction, a new
focusing.
Look how he runs,—
competitive!
The race is to the swift.
The laurels, to the wise.
The gold is to the brave.
Are you a winner
or does anyone win
in all these races?
The winner is the loser—
jealous associates know him as
fallible.
His run is criticized, his
gait, his wind.
The others are too close
behind.
It’s only chance that sends
him
splitting tape, across the
line.
Let’s cut these races and
cooperate!
5
To Bless or Blunder?
Why did
God make
us?
To fail and blunder?
Through the hot summer
to lose our sense of wonder?
Where is the cool breeze?
The long iced draught under the
trees?
Did God make us
that we might know sin and
disease?
Where is the bond of brotherhood?
Always coming soon?
What good is it to live?
To live for what?
To touch the moon?
What good is that?
What good to fail and blunder?
Through the hot days
we lose
our sense of wonder.
God says
“I made you all to laugh
So laugh and bless!
It was a difficult task
to make a laughing life
and tie it in
with such a dangerous
and
majestic world.”
6
Whistling in The Dark
It is
dark
and it is scary.
This whole world
is kind of hairy.
So I praise
the God who made it
ask, I not be
afraid of it.
So I whistle
in the dark
like a silly
light-struck lark
waked at
by the moon.
I hope I whistle
the right tune.
On Lions and Lambs
The
place
where the lion lies down with the
lamb
is the place
where the oppressed and the
oppressors
can enter
into concerned and respectful
communication
with each other.
It is a secure spot where each
agrees to listen
and where each
is
guaranteed a hearing.
7
The Purpose of Gods
We make gods out of
need.
You can explain so much with gods
who won’t explain their ways to
men
but merely show their power.
You can explain the earth
made by some crazy god
who threw his weight around.
It helps to keep our sort in
line.
We placate gods so they won’t go
berserk.
Who needs bolt-throwing gods?
Give us some gentle folk
who’ll teach us how to love
how to control ourselves
so that there won’t be cast-off
lepers
rapists, and nuclear disasters.
8
Someone’s Creatures
The wise men and the
scientists
grew great in their conceit.
They said, “We’ll cure disease.
We’ll conquer space.
We’ll grow vast quantities of
food
so none can starve. We’ll check
our offspring
so that every child will be a
wanted child.
This world will be a wonder world
with all the universe to grow
in.”
They said, “We have no need of
God.
We can create our heaven without
a God.”
With these words they killed God
in their hearts.
Just to be sure they had no need
of God
they briefly looked for God
and since they could not find God
in their hearts
concluded, “God is dead.”
Then they proceeded to the
business at hand.
They knew so much and were so
very wise
the lesser people of the world
looked on in wonder.
They learned to cure some cancers
but a strange thing happened.
A young girl they had agreed no
one could cure
was cured by love.
They learned to fight disease
but another strange thing
happened—
as soon as they would cure one
virus
another group of wise men
would invent another virus twice
as bad
and set it on a shelf to save for
some day
when their hate was strong enough
to use it.
Still they insisted, “We do love.
We wish that all the people
were as wise and fortunate as
we.”
They proved their kind philosophy
by going out into the world
performing great conversions with
their science.
They made elaborate weapons
and forced these in the hands of
lesser men
and said, “You fight for truth
and freedom.
Shoot to kill.
Who disagrees with us is better
dead.”
Perhaps they were right.
Where is this better world
our heaven-reign home?
Godless we roam
through a scorched, burning world
love, all unknown.
Churches are burning.
Schools have been blown.
Birds have stopped singing.
Scientists, men of wisdom
take away your world built on
men’s pride.
What have you left us but the
passions of men?
We need God. We need love.
We need the gentle deed
the self-effacing hand.
We thought we were giants.
We thought that we could make the
world perfect.
For this presumption forgive us.
Forgive us, Lord. We thought
that since we touched the moon
that we were gods.
We forgot that we were only
Someone’s creatures.
9
Asylum?
Yes, perhaps some
people
find asylum here.
Some cannot find
asylum from their tortured minds
in all the earth.
For them
there is no resting place
no cure
no healer.
When death and hell
pour forth
at time’s own end
then, too
will these receive release.
I beg you, God
my God who made
these stumbling feet
these flashing eyes
surely, you’ve made the love
to help and heal them.
The Womb of God
God’s womb is
the
universe
and what does God produce
in this vast cavity?
God produces God!
The earth provides the setting
from which the spirit in humanity
gives birth to love.
10
To Anyone In Authority
You,
there
you in the chair
cut the matter clean.
Strip it bare.
Make it square
if you care.
Only you
can do.
Bow to you
because you have this power
for such a little hour?
I should bow?
Why and how?
You are human
like me
and fallible.
You will see.
Tell them all
before they fall
on bended knee
that you are only man.
Then if you can
stir the matter
thoroughly
thoughtfully
vigorously
so only truth
rises in ferment
above the sediment.
11
Controlling Lions
Peace
is not
necessarily calm.
It is not a swan resting on blue
waters.
Peace is a riot of color and
movement
held in place by concerned love.
Sixteen geese at twilight
swooping
cavorting in concert across the
full moon,—
who is richer than I with such an
expression
of God’s creativity? Suddenly I
know
why the human was made—
we are the mirror that reflects
God’s wisdom back to Mystery.
Peace is creative action in
community
such as this arc made with myriad
wings
in the deep blue radiant sky.
Peace is not taking yourself too
seriously.
Peace is the turmoil of the ocean
and the boisterous wind being
used
by the human free will
to further the progress of a
boat.
The lion will lie down with the
lamb
when a creative human
controls wild nature
and another creative human calms
those who are fearful and
trembling.
12
It was
June when
we came
a golden June
with the daisies dancing
and the birds in tune.
My little son
wished to see the crosses
not knowing the meaning
of sorrow and losses.
It was June when they came
a darksome June.
The night was black
and without a moon.
The noise was fearsome
when it came
with points of fire
and bursts of flame.
They clambered up
through ooze and mud.
From the hill to the beach
was red with blood.
Today there is
willow-oak and pine
and bowers
where roses intertwine.
I ask my heart
“Do they rest in bliss?
Will we ask other lads
to climb hills like this?”
Never my son
on such a raid!
Never again
such a hell man-made!
13
Jeremiah 22:3
Yahweh speaks in
the
heart—
but loudly. God’s word
echoes across the heart’s
chambers
like July fireworks
bam bam
bamming back and forth
across the hills of celebration:
Do justice! Bam!
Do righteousness! Bam! Bam!
Deliver from the hand of the
oppressor
the one who has been robbed.
The farmer in Peru
why should he farm another’s land
and give another profit?
The kameen
in Pakistan
why should he haul the sewage
forever tote the refuse of some
priest
whose insides are no cleaner than
kameen’s?
The echoes roll across the
world:—
Rulers, you must not wrong
the alien in the land.
Good God forbids all violence to
the alien.
Those who are roused to boiling
point
to throwing stones
talk with them softly.
Listen to their gripes.
Never respond to stones with
stones.
Never shed innocent blood
in God’s
Care tenderly for widows
and the fatherless.
God speaks loudly in the heart.
Those who have hearts
can hear God’s message.
14
Right Here
Let me go out
and work
for you in the world
God of Love
where lesser nations spew their
sins
on blood washed shores.
The answer came back clear.
“This is the most evil spot in
the world. Work here!”
Yes, you are right, God of Love.
This land is evil.
The blackened trees with their
branches dry
reach beseeching, thirsting to
the sky.
This country is the one to fear.
The answer came back loud and
clear.
“This is the most evil spot in
the world. Work here!”
Where, God of Love?
In my home, where we have named
you ruler?
You find it not just that we
should have much
while others starve for food and
warmth and love.
Then send us out to spread our
cheer.
The answer came back clear.
“This is the most evil spot in
the world. Work here!”
Where, God of Love?
In my heart?
Yes, it is so. I have built up
walls so I could not see
the evils seeping out of me
walls that could hide the wild
strong will
and the lack of love and the loss
of joy.
Help me rend the walls that blind
my eyes.
Make me into a garden, Lord
where hearts may rest.
15
The Dove Waiting To Fly
What do you
want
white dove, in your cage?
You have feed and drink
a clean perch
music to sing to.
What more do you want?
Freedom, you want?
What is that, white dove?
She waits there poised
with winnowing pinions spread
impatient to be off and out of
sight
her jeweled eyes begging you
to aid her flight
oh, God, to bear her up
where star lights shed
dartles of
dreams
above the cloud and storm.
All cast aside the cracked
protective shell
eager she waits
ready to serve you well.
What blackness can be cut with
that white form!
I think of doves who set out for
the sun
only the sun, the moon
such near-by things
that I must fret for her
on egg-wet wings
dreaming of nebulae.
Our destiny
oh, God, is praising you
is reaching far.
Let her gain I beseech you
at least one little star.
16
Man’s Work
I like to watch
men
lifting boards
and heaving stone, and making
things
rippling their muscles
in the sun of early day.
I like to watch men destroy
the old decaying structures
blasting in the sides of
buildings
with great machines
unmasking centuries of rot
exposing the damp mold
to the face of the sun.
I like to watch men working
doing good with their hands
getting a little nearer to
heaven.
In
a shoeless
girl
child wriggled onto
the velvet footstool before the
white jade Buddha
and said a gentle prayer.
Did the Buddha’s enigmatic smile
increase ever so tenderly
as he reclined there on the edge
of eternity?
17
Immortality Projects
We each need one good
enemy
to keep us on our toes—
yet good enemies are few and far
between.
Most enemies are bad, and
scarcely worth
our being annoyed at them.
Comparing enemies, I’m lucky to
have you.
Everyone needs death
to become a whole person.
Without death there would be
not much point to life.
Death makes us stand up
and use our assets.
He keeps us from getting
complacent.
Dear enemy, as enemies go
you’re similar to death.
Your knives are never in the
back.
You are disarmingly
straightforward.
You operate without
benefit of antiseptics or
anesthetics.
18
Opportunities to Love
That’s
why Jesus said
to love our enemies—
he knew there would be
people like you.
He gives us
so many opportunities
to love one another.
That’s why God said
the world God made
is good.
Life is all about loving.
Love is the important quantity
that oozes from all this
air and dirt and water.
It really stirs
the molecules within
to love an enemy
who is cutting your heart out.
We humans have it made.
If we choose to love
all those who flashily inflict
their cruelties on us
we rid their ids of sores
by rubbing them on us;
we turn hate energy
to love—
a miracle!
We turn what’s bad to good!
Look—
every new today
is a fresh opportunity
to forgive those who have wronged
us
and those who’ve hurt us.
19
Blessed Are The Poor
How blest
in spirit, the oppressed!
Rich yearnings for what is
Yahweh’s
burgeon within their treasure
chest.
This wealth is manifest in eyes
catching ours in magazines, TV
gracing our souls with
plattersful
of that which really matters.
The poor grow Jesus in the womb
of their tears, toils, and
troubles.
They birth the righteous God
in the stable stall of rubble
where there are feeble few
of the foul foibles that distract
as in the palaces of kings.
How flourishing in spirit
those with peaceful
seeings
nourished with I-Am Being.
Yahweh, wash us of worldly
yearnings
that we, too, may feel support
from gentle, minute things
like hovering bluebird wings!
20
Jeremiah 22:13
Woe to him in wealth
who builds his house
by unrighteousness
and his upper rooms by injustice
who makes his neighbor
serve him for nothing
and does not give him his just
wages.
If the debtor nations
refuse to pay foreign bank loans
God justifies them
if they have already
paid back the principal.
Wiley men contrived exorbitant
interest
which God condemns.
All that is owed
in God’s eyes
is the principal.
All else is of men.
If those who had foreign debts
refused to pay
would the banks fail?
Would the banks pass on the
unpaid debts
to those of us in wealth so that
we could no longer run our motor
cars?
Then we might see
that our exports of militarism
have not benefited anyone
but only served to bind
and to lead to famine.
The end result may be
that our allowance of the sin of
militarism
will fall on our own heads.
The wealthy will go hungry.
The collectors of exorbitant
interest
will have no shelter from the
rain.
21
The Three Times of Buddha
A molded golden
poem
with three stanzas
flowing into one another
the great
Buddhas
of Past, Present, Future
together sit in crafted majesty
on lotus leaves in Yong he Gong
willing artifacts, substantial
things
which lead our minds beyond material.
The message of the Buddha on the
left
is that the wise creative spirit
has been with the living world
before forever. It is
not touchable
but yet the source of all we
touch
of all our being, all we’ve done
the understander
of our past mistakes.
The healer of present human
errors
the helper in our everyday
distress
are symbolized by the middle
Buddha
raising up his hand to bless
the wisdom possible in our todays.
Love is a splendid spender
and love will spend for us
and shield us day by day.
The Buddha on the right reminds
those worshiping that future,
too
will flash with Buddha Spirit
with they themselves the giving
ones
whose duty is to permeate the
world
with caring love and noble
thought.
The wisdom found when meditating
here
is much more valuable than many
statues.
22
The Hatching
This
brittle egg-shell case
that holds my soul
this shell
so carefully preserved by me
handled with care
polished, protected
when will it hatch the bird in me
with golden wings
that will go soaring off
my God knows where
leaving a broken shell?
Of what use to a bird
is a broken shell?
23
Reflecting God’s Word
If I were a house
on the hillside
the sunrise
would catch the glass
of my windows
with flaming gold
so that those
in the darkness of walls
in the depth of the valley
will gasp
at the glitter
of what they behold
at the marvelous
masterful mirroring
of the cascading caldron
of atoms
that boisterously
burns from of old.
24
Holocaust Syndrome
On the
edge of hell
one loses perspective.
A people subjected to holocaust
may be temporarily blinded
as to proper treatment of others
because they are confronted
with the large hideousness
of what has happened
to themselves.
Thus the molested child
frequently becomes the rapist
when he grows older.
The horror in his mind
finds release in this fashion.
God, work through all of us
to help persons and nations
realize their tremendous worth
in your plan for the earth.
The Size of God
My God is bigger than
this church.
God loves beyond the confines
of these doors. God acts and
comforts
in all times and places,
encompasses
the world, covers the stars
and all that is, yet still can
fit
into a tiny corner of my heart!
25
St. Therese, Priest
She thought of herself as having
many vocations, the priesthood included: “And at the same time I want to be a
priest; how lovingly I’d carry you in my hands when you came down from heaven
at my call; how lovingly I’d bestow you upon men’s souls.
I am
a priest
ordained by God, not men.
I carry Jesus in my soul
so lovingly.
How can you
call me anything but priest?
A priest is one who gives
of God to people.
This I must do
and you must do it, too.
We must reveal God
to each other.
God hides in his transcendence
beyond our vision.
Only in those who walk beside us
facing after him
can we catch glimpses
of reflected light.
I am a priest to you
and you to me.
You carry Jesus in your soul
so lovingly
and with your open hands
so lovingly
give him to me.
26
Jonah and Others Such As Myself
My friend Jonah went
to Ninevah.
He was a good prophet
but not a very loving man.
He could preach fire and
brimstone
with the best of them.
“Turn and repent and love one
another,”
he thundered.
They saw sense in his words.
They shook in their sandals
and obeyed.
The Lord said
“I will be merciful to them.”
(That’s the way the Lord is.)
Jonah didn’t approve.
He forgot all about loving and
said
“How embarrassing for me, Lord
to say you will destroy this
place
and then you don’t back me up.
Folks will say I’m a liar.”
God laughed as only God can
laugh.
God said, “You’re no false
prophet, Jonah.
Go to them in love.
Take my love to them.
Say that I have heard their
prayers
and that I will be merciful.”
(That’s the way the Lord is.)
27
Paying My Way
Thank you, whoever
made the
earth and me.
I value dearly all that you have
given.
I take with joy all gifts that
you provide
but I insist that I must pay my
way
to show my thanks. I’ll push
myself
to do a kind deed every day to
pay my way.
Today my achy bones give this
long drive
starting before the dawn, to pay
my way.
You have rewarded me with silver
moon
sparkling the frosted February
trees
etching the cat tails in a reedy
gulley.
What possible return can pay for
that?
Like this, the morning’s coursing
moon
you go before me, colorful and
blessing
the world that meets me and
recedes. You rise
too, in the sunrise blossoming
behind me
which reaches up its tolerant
hands of light
to tousle tops of mountains still
before me
where the moon settles to rest
comfortably on a pile of blue
clouds.
How can I expect a heaven when
life is done!
This is enough of joy and
overcoming
a very fair exchange. Just let me
say
how glad I am to pay my way.
28
The Creators
If we
could
create
we would want to create
creatures more perfect
than ourselves.
(Witness how we chide
and guide our children.)
As we learn
the problems of creation
we see that it must proceed
along certain natural lines.
We start with the problem
of how to get life in a test tube
(just like God did).
We rise up
through fishes and land monsters
(just like God did).
We finally
get a man-type creature
(just like God did).
And then we have to be patient
(just like God is)
until man fulfills himself
and learns
how to perfect himself.
29
The Idol Maker
I am
what God
created.
I must not take created things
to represent my God
as if I thought
I could carve out a God
from my surroundings when in
reality
One Mystery has made all things
and authors all.
We can’t reverse the roles that
way.
Official idol makers would like
to think
they have control of God, of
earth, of destiny
as their idol has sprung
from their work, their hands.
The powerful and rich, religious,
firm
affirm, “God speaks through what
I made!
I have designed a faith
a government, an economic system
through my power.
Those who would be on my side
on the side of power
worship with me!”
But God, you made us.
That’s the way it is.
You speak through what you made.
You speak through us.
Yes, Maker God, your voice
speaks through our voices
because you made us in your image
capable of love.
How can we reflect your love
and yet divorce ourselves from
idols?
30
Rag Man in The Park
The dogs
are
friends with unknown dogs.
If he were dog, the dogs would
rush
upon him wagging friendly tails
and mouth him with a friendly
mouth.
Since he is man, he has no
friend.
If he were dog, we’d throw him
bread
and pat his shaggy rumpled head.
Since he is man and stiff with
dirt
we leave him to his ragged
thoughts.
What Is Man?
Lord, what
is man?
It is time we should know
and no one here can tell us.
Are we strange devils
mutants on your globe
or have we evolved
with the evolving earth
to care for earth
and praise you?
It sometimes seems that we are
rats
ready to run
the hawser onto land
knowing the ship we’re on
has rotted in its hull
helped by our constant gnawing.
If there were shore to run to
we would run
but we are far from safety of a
harbor.
31
Apathy
The three
small
monkeys sit upon the ledge.
Wee See-No-Evil does not see
bombs fall
but does he feel himself slide
near the edge
as the ground sends up vibrations
that shake all?
Imp Hear-No-Evil does not hear
the sighing
of the mothers and their young in
pain and fears.
Even grown men across the world
are crying.
Soon he’ll be floating on a flood
of tears.
Wise Speak-No-Evil has no word to say
but one can tell for what high
thoughts he stands
like— “We here who can never go
astray
defend the good and noble in all
lands.”
How well and thoroughly each
deceives himself!
How long before they tumble from
the shelf?
All The Living
Though
our
throats are quite parched
it is true
we can sing and be glad.
Joyous words
come more loud
from the hearts
that have known being sad.
32
Mansion Thoughts for Everyday
The Buddha built
himself a
house
with widespread wings upon tall
turrets
and flew to passive peace.
Christ urges active peace and
busily
prepares for each a marvelous
manse
depicting a delightful domain
reigned over by our
God-Companion-Parent.
Christ cordially invited me to
lay
wild weapons down, forget foul
fears
and thus unburdened, follow on
to where God has a pleasant place
special for me
with golden scriptures graven on
the walls
bright clarified by many a light
filled pane
a gabled, crannied, fairy spot
where I can entertain
the oppressed poor
the hampered lame
broaden the view of the short
sighted
a mansion fine
with brocade hangings
polished woods, pure porcelains
sweet seats beside fast dancing
fountains
a structure quite superb
containing all I want to do and
be
where pulsing Spirit penetrates
the halls
a holy spot where wrongs are
righted.
Who could turn such a palace
down?
But we must help God crystallize
God’s dreams!
We must assist each other to
these places.
In such a manor we possess
both Christ’s and Buddha’s peace.
33
We Must Do
Glorious Deeds
Our
deeds
must sing Glory
to the parent God
apparent in all creation
and to the offspring of God
found among us human beings
and to the God blown spirit
that breaks into our daily living
from transcendent heights.
Surely, we can swing across great
chasms
with such a triple braided rope
of faith
for our support.
No Time
for Tears
For myself
you need not sorrow
though I’ll see your face no
more.
I have learned to view tomorrow
as a kind of opened door.
Passing through, I put behind me
what was pain in yesterday
and the future still will find me
with some trust for the new day.
For myself you need not sorrow
though I’ll see your face no
more.
I have learned now how to borrow
love from life, and how to soar
up above both grief and madness
to a sphere of joy and rest.
Through a disbelief and sadness
I have learned my lesson best.
34
On Being Jesus
The
message
of God
has come down to us in two ways.
One way is
in the form of a human being.
A second way
is in a treasured book.
It is much easier to cry out
from the pages of a book
with the title of God’s word
attached to you
than it is to stand
in a
or on a street corner in
beseeching the troubled
to love each other.
It is simpler
to donate Bibles
than to mouth God’s word
in a city prison full of druggies
where no one has faith
in healing hands or hearts.
May God’s word
God’s message
be in every woman and man.
May it find its way
into every crevice and corner.
35
Early Fisherman
He
stood in
the boat and rowed
old and stooped.
His arms moved slowly on
and his gray head drooped.
He saw us not
looking out at him
on his morning way
but toiling over his oars he sent
sun to our day.
His wet oar shone like a silver
flash
to our beach-side view.
His wet oar mirrored the morning
sun
and he never knew.
36
For Faith Growth
Heaven-weaver,
Earth-hurler
flush us with victories
flash us with star power
gash us with godly joy
like yours!
We don’t want to be lap dogs
cuddling
cowering
yapping
feeble barks of fright
into unholy night.
Let us grow
Omega-like
as a deep rooted tree
by the living water
shooting out green tips
in God-time
till we touch heaven
and become
rain fashioners
sun hoisters
man makers
truly God-birthers.
37
Non-violence
Thou shalt
not kill”—
the hordes went forth to war
and those who took the sword
have perished by it.
There was not one stone left
upon another in the
“To him who smites you
turn the other cheek.”
Those who preached
grew hot with their religion
and Holy Wars were started
and the
remained in unholy hands.
“Love your neighbor.”
We are neighbors, one and all
on this small globe
and so we choose to disobey.
We devise new ways
to destroy peoples and nations
and kindreds
and tongues
and the world.
Miseréré
nobis.
38
The Dwarf
Condemned...
I see you as condemned to life
life different from mine
from all of us.
How do you see yourself?
Do you weep at evening?
In the morning do you grit your
teeth
combing your hair before the
mirror
condemned to life
unequal, pitied?
But I have seen you laughing
singing, making others laugh.
Is this the burden you have taken
upon your stubby shoulders?
Did God whisper to you
that we are all unequal
all short changed, all weak
all full of problems that we
cannot solve?
Is this the reason you can joke
and why you try to make us smile?
Christ has fondly let you climb
up on his knee
and is using you for his mouth
piece.
Oyez!
There is
something
out there
that can be in here
if I will open myself
and let it in.
I can be more than me.
I can be charged with Majesty.
Oh, Profundity, enter!
My welcome mat is out.
39
My God
I have a
God who
loves me hard and fast
with rhyme and reason
across the bridge of race and
creed and caste
and time and season.
I have a God, a Universal God
a First Great Cause
who holds me not with sweets or
lifted rod
or threatening clause
but with her love for that which
she gave birth
by her own plan;
whose spirit fills the emptiness
of earth
and mind of man;
the God of Brahmin, Arab, Indian
prayer
Catholic and Jew