Autumn Day

‘Tis time, O Lord; long summer in the west
Hath sunken, like its sun, not long ago;
The fields that lately gleamed with fruitful glow
Now with abandon wildflow’rs have dressed.
Bring forth thy vintage fruits, final and best,
Yet first a few more golden rays bestow!
Just two or three more balmy days to grow
In sweetness; after that: thy wine be pressed.
The time to fall is not the time to build;
The time is come for lingering alone,
To wake, to read, to pen to paper bear,
To wander streets with contemplation filled
And follow ‘cross the lonely cobblestone
The drifting leaves along their here and there.

—7/25/26. Adapted from Rainer Maria Rilke, “Herbsttag.”

Shame Reversed

…you will forget the shame of your youth. Isa. liv. 4.

Naked in shame, we hid in fear,
Cursing the Name we should hold dear,
Exiled by flame, the source whereof
Yet proclaims his steadfast love.

Clothed in our skin, he bore our shame;
Killed for our sin, he rose to claim
Church without wrinkle, mark or spot—
“It is finished”: wondrous thought!

Risen to know his life above,
Where can we go without his love?
Waiting below to share his home:
Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

—7/17/26. To “Surrender” (Enfield). A love song.

Restlessness

I lie awake. Ps. cii. 7.

I know not how I ought to pray
In watches of the night,
When cares and sorrows on me weigh,
And sleep hath no delight.
Be near me, O my God, be near!
No other help can be.
If thou wilt sleep deny me here,
Still let me rest in thee.

I wish that I had wings to sail,
To like the dove retreat,
From ev’ry raging wind and gale
That earthward bind my feet.
I cast my burdens on thy grace—
O haste to hear my pleas!—
And ‘neath thee other hopes abase,
Assured that thou art peace.

Thou bidd’st me seek thy glorious face;
O give me heart to seek
Thy sov’reign beauty all my days,
Enthroned on Zion’s peak.
I long to seek no earthly toy,
But only, ever thee,
Who art my portion and my joy,
My God eternally.

Short as the watches of the night
My weary days pass on,
But as their watchmen with delight
Anticipate the dawn,
So to thy rise I lift my gaze,
O righteous, Sabbath Sun,
And set my heart to hope and praise
Till thou hast morn begun.

—7/4/26. To “Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul” (Twit) or “Kingsfold.” Insomnia IV.