Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SANCTUARY by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY

First Line: MID ALL THE TRAFFIC OF THE WAYS
Last Line: THAN ANY IS AWARE.
Subject(s): RELIGION; THEOLOGY;
'Mid all the traffic of the ways, --
Turmoils without, within, --
Make in my heart a quiet place,
And come and dwell therein!

-- A little shrine of quietness,
All sacred to Thyself,
Where Thou shalt all my soul possess,
And I may find myself;

-- A little shelter from Life's stress,
Where I may lay me prone,
And bare my soul in lowliness,
And know as I am known;

-- A solitude where I can think,
A haven of retreat,
Where of Thy Red Wine I may drink,
And of Thy White Bread eat;

-- A little silent, sacred place,
Where we may commune hold;
Where Thy White Love shall me embrace
And from the world enfold;

-- A little place of mystic grace,
Of self and sin swept bare,
Where I may look into Thy face,
And talk with Thee in prayer.

Come! -- occupy my silent place,
And make Thy dwelling there!
More grace is wrought in quietness
Than any is aware.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net