REFLECTIONS viii

Each knew the Lord.

One lived on the consciousness

Of the mercy

By which he had been retrieved;

One dwelt in the knowledge

That God had chosen her

Before the world was;

One was formed

In the graces found

In Jesus Christ;

And one in the glories

Of all established

In Christ Jesus:

In these distinctions

Star differed from star

In glory.

REFLECTIONS vii

It moves in

Inexorable dignity,

A strong runner

Who delights to run

From dawn to dusk.

It has the aura,

The rights,

Of a bridegroom.

Nothing escapes

The munificence

Of the splendour of its shining.

REFLECTIONS vi

There are recesses,

Crannies, shades

Within.

Outwith there are

Shadows, mists, wynds,

Recesses.

Thy word is a lamp.

REFLECTIONS v

Ye were once darkness,

But now

Light in the Lord.

Ye are not in darkness,

For all ye

Are sons of light and sons of day.

Ye appear

As lights in the world.

Ye are the light of the world.

REFLECTIONS iv

We will not see it,

Will not need it

Nor wish it

When night has gone.

But now it cheers

Sight and soul and heart

Till day arises.

When dark darkens,

If clouds cloud,

Lift yourself to admire

The Morning Star.

REFLECTIONS iii

All earthly life depends

On light

Fusing, infusing, suffusing.

All earthly life depends

On warmth

Mothering.

All earthly life depends

On order

Informing, forming, conforming.

Light warmth and order

Centre in,

And emanate from,

One Sun.

REFLECTIONS ii

Let there be light

God said

And from that light

Genesis could begin.

Distinctions could be distinguished:

Day and night;

Earth and heaven;

Earth and sea;

Earth and plant.

Yet before animal

Could be animated, or man

Could be man

The particularity of the great light,

Manifested lordship,

Must be revealed.

REFLECTIONS i

The Light appeared

- The Light of the world -

But cottages, synagogues, villas

Were shuttered or blinded.

Yet, through mercy, a few

Shutters were rotted, blinds

Were frayed: glimmers

Pierced gloom.

Attracted

Householders peered at the glow,

Loosened curtain or wood.

Cautiously, tenderly

Some souls

Moved to the doors, slid

Quietly into

The full blaze of the Sun.