Louise Ayres Garnett

From “Resurgam”

I FEEL my spirit stir and half awake,

Then look in bright bewilderment at dawn.

O waking past all dreaming!

O Love Imperious that hast called me forth from out my valley’s shadow!

A mighty whirlwind, breath of the living God,

Sweeps from beyond the barricades of night, and, stooping low,

Lifts me from out my dust and sets me free.

I feel the Power that moors me to Itself;

That keeps the rhythmic pattern of the stars;

That spins, like a fiery plaything in the air,

The earth that was my home.

My hour is great with leisure;

My day is manifest.

O clamorous world!—thy wasting fires

Have burned themselves to ashes.

O foolish pomp!—thy futile stride

As an image in a glass has passed away.

Time’s mystery and menace are resolved:

The Now of Man is God’s Forevermore.

My heart is as a forest treed with wonder.

The cymbals of my joyance make a stirring sound,

My singing shakes the day.

I know myself at last:

Thou, glorious One, hast revealed me to myself.

As new-born planets sang in ecstasy,

So sing the voices of my thankfulness.

I praise Thee!

I glorify Thee!

Thou art the Singer, man Thy Song;

My spirit on its summit shouts Thy name!

O Singer, Who hast sent me forth,

I am returned to Thee!