TO A BABY DAUGHTER

(Written 15 October 1984)

My little daughter,  you know no language yet -

Forgive me then  while I expatiate

With this new composition  didactic verse

Using a style  I've borrowed from Old French.

It's no new wisdom  which I have to dispense

But you may find  it's helpful none the less.

Your life is an adventure  and you'll explore

Though you may not  wander from pole to pole.

Never, my daughter, repose in what you know

But always be a person  who pries and probes -

Through wind and rain,  like a keen Viking, row

Until you land  on you own Vinland shore.

Plough your own furrow  and always plough it straight;

Do not divert  to someone else's way;

Broadcast good seed  and then, with patience, wait -

Anything good  will grow in months, not days;

When it is ripe  harvest before the rain

And for the future  be generous with you grain.

Allow the time  occasionally to wander

Across the hills  or by the babbling waters;

Perceive the boredom;  the glory and the horror

Within all nature - slow slugs or leaping horses,

Ravenous shrew  or deft fish-killing otters.

Let each one halt you  and give you cause to ponder.

Fish just to meet  your own and other's wants

But not for pleasure - a sport which God abhors.

Both good and evil  will come within your trawl:

Discriminate - don't keep and swallow all.

Although winds blow  and bucking billows toss

Persist until you can  relish what's caught.

To be a poet  would do you little good

And whether I would like it  I am not sure.

There's poetry in life  as you will prove -

In every movement  a subtle rhythm moves,

In every word  a fertile tension broods;

And every object  is image for a mood.

I know that you  will never be a queen

- But you must rule  within yourself at least;

Only by self-control  can you be free.

Be careful not to watch  all that you see;

Be careful not to heed  all that you hear;

Your heart is the most precious  thing that you keep.

Philip had four  daughters who prophesied -

If he was fortunate   I can't decide!

So, little one,  prophesy if you like

But you must pray  from your depths to God's height,

Must find the answer  to darkness in God's light,

Must find in Jesus  the purpose of your life.

My little Rosalie, I'll soon have ended:

I'm sure you think  I've been too long already.

To tell the truth  you don't seem interested

In being wrapped  in archetypal vestments.

I guess it's nearly time  that you were bedded,

A so good night  and may God add His blessing.

CHRIST

 

The One by whom the worlds began

Who furnished Earth by what He said

Was found in figure as a Man

Without a place to lay His Head.

By Him on good and worthless ground

The seed, the word of God, was sown

And now for His delight abound

Fruits from good ground for Him alone.

From this world's raging seas He brought

Disciples, sinners born again:

He patiently and gently taught

Till they were also "catching men".

Unending gentleness and care

For those whom men despised as least,

With constant toil for men in prayer,

Displayed perfection of a priest.

And as the perfect Victim too

He met death in the darkest hour,

Emerging as the Victor who

Quelled death and him who had its power.

Ascended high to God's right hand

He sits upon the throne of grace

Acclaimed by all who understand

He has secured their heavenly place.

And as the Chief Musician now

He moves God's service, phrase by phrase,

Touching each harp-string to endow

Eternal, orchestrated praise.

Around London canals

COMING ONE

(Mary)
A paean,
Eruption of soul and spirit,
Touching the King.

(Zacharias)

Bursting from silence

I prophesy the Coming One,
The Day Spring.

(Joseph)
Stolid, a craftsman, why
Choose me as trustee of
The Holy Thing?

(Magi)
Though the weather cuts
And stones abrade,
Nettles and thorns sting

We glory in our pilgrimage
More than in ease
Or governing

Glad to be encumbered ‑
Gold, frankincense and myrrh ‑
By gifts we bring.

(Shepherd)
More than an angel
Redeemed, directed, lightened,
I now can sing.                                 

DAVID

Pre-eminently David was a shepherd:

One with a heart his flock could all rely on.

He was no hireling but prepared to jeopard

His life to fight against the bear or lion

To lead his flock or lead his men to Zion.

But the Good Shepherd, Jesus, supersedes:

In love He suffered and in grace He leads.

Into the valley, humble yet defiant,

Confident in the way Jehovah led,

David went down to battle with the giant:

A skilful sling-stone smote Goliath dead

And David carried off his severed head.

Through greater depths and through exceeding woe

The Lord has quelled a more injurious foe.

Rejected and despised, a wanderer,

David found refuge in Adullam's cave;

And needy souls who gathered to him there

Because their debts were great or needs were grave

Found that he had ability to save:

Christ, who had once no place to lay His head,

Is Saviour now as risen from the dead.

As God's anointed David had dominion

That ranged from the Euphrates to the Sea;

Hundreds of judgments hung on his opinion,

Myriads of minions hung on his decree

While Israel was glorious and free.

But Christ will shoulder just administration

As King of every people, tribe and nation.

To build the house of God was his desire

And under God he was its architect;

It was most worthy that he should aspire

To serve God in a place he would erect

But God refused to give his will effect.

Only through Christ could God acquire a place

To dwell with men in righteousness and grace.

David went in to sit before the ark

To hear Jehovah in complacency;

He laid aside his realm's and household's cark

And heard the promise God had to convey:

Sustained by this he rose and went his way.

But in God's presence our High Priest remains – 

All things by love and vigour He sustains.

Whether the waters by his feet were calm

Or he was bruised by torrents of oppression

From each experience David formed a psalm.

He raised a hymn to God through his confession

And found a song as carried through depression.

But Christ now leads a heavenly company

Surrounding Him to praise eternally.