Journeys

The souls of the dead are in your hand—
but take the living, too,
who wander over sea and land,
and see us safely through.

For though our eyes are wide and bright,
we cannot see the way.
The light of noon is dark as night
and hides the coming days.

The wings of dawn will bear us far—
what dangers wait us there?
Be with us ever, guide and guard,
in all that we shall bear!

For we must go beyond the seas,
leave all we know behind.
We journey 'til all journeys cease—
Be with us, and be kind!

You see what cannot e'er be seen;
you knew me ere my birth.
You knit me in my inmost being
and drew me from the earth—

Then you will not let go of me,
the labor of your hands.
Though I go where I cannot see,
beside me there you'll stand.

L’aurore, Mer du Nord by Guillaume Vogels, c. 1877 – Robert Moyens: Guillaume Vogels 150 Jaar, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4671281

Exodus

Like Moses in the desert,
barefoot before the flame,
or Samuel in the temple,
I did not know your name.
But you knew mine and called it,
O God of Abraham:
I come now as you draw me
to touch the great I Am.

Not to some distant mountain—
I would not know the way—
yet stones are springing fountains
in my mundanest days.
I have no mystic vision;
no angels fill my sight.
You are more deeply hidden,
but still I have your light.

Yes, I have walked this desert
and fallen in its traps,
but guide me, O my shepherd:
I have no other map
than lines across your body,
like veins that show through skin.
They lead me to your heartbeat:
O, let me enter in.

Henry Daras : Le buisson ardent.Musée d’Angoulême, Charente (France). By JLPC – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18059038

The Red Sea Road

We set out on the Red Sea road,
but that was just the start,
for there are years and years to go
before we reach your heart.

We trembled as you parted seas
to make a fearless way;
we walked where Pharaoh's chariots seized,
in safety through the waves.

But still the road runs out ahead,
and still we travel on,
through day 'til stars lift up their heads,
through midnight into dawn.

The road has never doubled back,
not even when we turned,
but runs forever in its track,
as long as stars shall burn.

And every weary traveller sees
a different, winding road,
but still one God sees all of these
and leads them safely home.

Wherever my own road shall run,
and roads of those I love,
O Shepherd, guide my steps thereon,
as long as stars shall move. Amen.