God Ever Near, by Robert Leighton

God Ever Near

What sunshine falls around the darkest lot--
How soon its haunting spectres disappear--
When through its trouble breaks the living thought
That God is ever near!   Near, in the lowly grass, the lordly trees,
The summer flowers, and their delicious breath;
Near, in our hallowed temples, and the breeze
That sweeps the lonely heath.   Near, in the closet, in the peopled streets,
Out on the marvellous deep, in glittering show'rs;
Near, in the human heart, that beats and beats
Without decree of ours.   For we are wandering through enchanted land:
The tiniest eye-bud peeping from the sod,
Touch'd with the living thought--the spirit-wand--
It opens into God.   And wherefore should this meeting free the slave,
Enrich misfortune, lift the mourner's pall?
God is the secret good of all we crave;
And having God, gives all.

poems.one - Robert Leighton

Robert Leighton