Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SACRAMENT OF WORK, by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SACRAMENT OF WORK, by                    
First Line: Upon thy bended knees thank god for work
Last Line: We thank thee, lord!
Alternate Author Name(s): Oxenham, John
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Religion; Sacraments; Work; Workers; Theology


Upon thy bended knees thank God for work, --
Work -- once man's penance, now his high reward!
For work to do and strength to do the work,
We thank Thee, Lord!

Since outcast Adam toiled to make a home,
The primal curse a blessing has become,
Man in his toil finds recompense for loss,
A workless world had known nor Christ nor Cross.

Some toil for love, and some for simple greed,
Some reap a harvest past their utmost need,
More, in their less find truer happiness,
And all, in work, relief from bitterness.

A toiler with His hands was God's own Son;
Like His, to Him be all thy work well done.
None so forlorn as he that hath no work,
None so abject as he that work doth shirk.

Upon thy bended knees, thank God for work!
In workless days all ills and evils lurk;
For work to do, and strength to do the work,
We thank Thee, Lord!





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