Poems on My Mind Today

"Lead, Kindly Light"

By St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Lead, Kindly Light, amidst the encircling gloom,

Lead Thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home,

Lead Thou me on!

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou

Shouldst lead me on;

I loved to choose and see my path; but now

Lead Thou me on!

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,

Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still

Will lead me on.

Over moor and fen, over crag and torrent, till

The night is gone,

And with the morn those angel faces smile,

Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

"My Lamp Is Shattered"

By Wilhelmina Stitch (1888-1936)

My lamp is shattered, I'm deprived of light;

My lamp is shattered, and so dark the night.

My lamp is shattered, yet to my glad sight -- a star shines on.

My lamp is shattered, but a star shines bright,

And by its glowing, I can wend aright.

My lamp is shattered, but I can still fight -- for a star shines on.

My lamp is shattered, sad indeed my plight.

My lamp is shattered, yet I'll reach the height -- for a star shines on!

"Merlin's Prayer"

By Stephen Lawhead (1950-)

Great Light, Mover of all that is moving and at rest, be my Journey and my far Destination, be my Want and my Fulfilling, be my Sowing and my Reaping, be my glad Song and my stark Silence.

Be my Sword and my strong Shield, be my Lantern and my dark Night, be my everlasting Strength and my piteous Weakness.

Be my Greeting and my parting Prayer, be my bright Vision and my Blindness, be my Joy and my sharp Grief, be my sad Death and my sure Resurrection!

A green Celtic triquetra symbol, indicating (among other things) the interconnectedness of all life and the interlocking web of our life's experiences. (Image Credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)