OH! which of all my dearest dear is most my very own? Whom do I pray for oftenest when kneeling at the throne? 'Tis not the one whose earthly cup is brimmed with gift and grace, Nor yet the one whose winsome heart looks from the bonniest face; The dearest dear of all mine own is one in greatest need, The one whose burden heaviest weighs, whose path is rough indeed. For him I claim the help of Heaven, for him I cling about The cross of the All-pitiful till flesh and strength give out; And still it is the neediest for whom I plead and pray, What time I bring my dearest dear to Christ at fall of day. If, all imperfect as I am, thus love doth reign in me, How better far, and truer far, must Christ the shepherd be, Whose greater love hath largesse for the weakest of his own— Who, by the hunger and the thirst, the faintness and the moan, Doth measure still the bounty that, outflowing day by day, Uplifts and helps the weary one who stumbleth in the way. Dear Love, sweet Love, thy dearest dear, 'tis he who most hath need, Whose want and weakness are his prayer, and without word can plead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FETES GALANTES: ROMANCES SANS PAROLE, SELECTION by PAUL VERLAINE A WINTER TWILIGHT by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE ON THE LIFE OF MAN by WALTER RALEIGH NATALIA'S RESURRECTION: 10 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT RELEASE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE A VERMONT COUNTRY STORE by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY THE TWO BOBBIES by BLISS CARMAN DREAM - COTSWOLD by WILFRED ROWLAND CHILDE SONG: ON HEARING A SONG IN PRAISE OF A LADY'S BEAUTY by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE |