Portrait of Courage

(Mary and the Mother of Judas)

Beneath the fateful sycamore where still
A frayed rope hung, they sat in quietude
Of grief and saw: three crosses on a hill;
Repentant Judas ... Darkling death there nude.
Heads bowed, eyes tearless, bleak, both mothers knew
That winds through palms would sing triumphant, free,
The Song of Life, while whispers slithering through
The grass would hiss, "Betrayer!" endlessly.

"How kind and mother-wise to seek me here!
Forgive him, Mary."--Grief's taut floodgates broke--
"His hands were grasping but his heart held dear
Your Son, his Lord. Would I might ease your yoke!"
In syllables love-tender, Mary said,
"Yours is the greater burden. Lift your head ..."

The Fragrance of Lillies Lingered

There among the crosses

The great, gaunt commoner

Knelt in grief and supplication.

God, in his shadow, touched him saying,

"My son, arise and behold!"

Where once the crosses rose

Was a field of lilies;

Walking through them, the living forms

Of the crucified, One among them

Like unto God who said,

"Behold, my brothers, not in vain,

Oh, not in vain we died,

But to bring undying beauty."

God spoke again,

"My son, have patience--

Look to far horizons

To see the glory of America,

And beyond, the glory of the world."

There among the crosses

God and the commoner were gone

But the fragrance lingered.

Iris in Gethsemane

The Iris-Lilies in Gethsemane
With wings uplifted cheered the Master's soul
And bade Him look to Heaven's Empery
Where wounds are healed and spirit is made whole;                              
For there among their beauty all divine
Calmly He prayed, "Thy will be done, not mine."

The American Bard
Hon. Mention in Bard's Iris Contest

Did You Answer, Mary?

In your Gethsemane,
Although it seemed your heart would break,
Did not His "fallen sparrow" touch your soul;
And fields of lilies with their peace extoll
Heaven's care? Did words of life He spake
Illumine Calvary?

Beside the cross, you saw your Son made whole,
And felt death's gyves begin to quake?
The Easter melody
You heard? Triumphantly,
The angels sang: "He sleeps to wake,
Not thorns but LIGHT OF LIFE His aureole!"?

Easter Pilgrimage

Oh, come with me and journeying by a star
Upon a pilgrimage, in lands afar
Kneeling with Mary, hear the angel's voice,
             (An empty tomb)
             "Rejoice! Rejoice!"

Then hush! Oh, hush! and breathe triumphant air.
And dry your tears! The earth is lily-fair,
The glow of life illuming by His grace.
             Let paeans ring.
             Behold His face!

O, come with me and journeying by a star
Behold the risen Lord, and cry, "You Are!"

Easter Song

The lilies whisper,
"Hush! On, hush!
The Master is sleeping!"
Be still, glad thrush.
O night winds send
From your muted throat
Your cooling breath--
Bid it curve and float
Singing a silent requiem
While the Master sleeps--
An Easter crown, His diadem.

The grasses murmur,
Lilies weep,
"The Master is gone!"
Where He lay asleep
Only the shroud
He wore is left.
Then an angel's voice,
"Be not bereft,
The Master is risen!
Behold Thy Lord!"
O, dawn winds sing
A triumphant chord!

The Master, smiling,
With infinite grace
Caresses a lily's
Pure white face.

The Poesy Book

Autumn Easter Song

Listen:
Autumn dropping
Tomorrows from oak trees;
Whispering, "April!" in golden
Kernels.