A Prayer of Thanksgiving: (For the Soul of an Eccentric Man)
LORD of the understanding heart,
Who gave him ways that made him queer
To all his kind, save me, who lived quite near;
Who for some hidden reason set apart
This man for whom I pray,
Draw near to-day,
As he lies lingering by the Styx’ lone bank;
Draw near, and let my glad tears thank
You for the soul of an eccentric man
Who opened gates to me; who, stronger than
Myself, drew me, despite myself, to his own plane —
A plane too high for hurts from those to whom
He seemed so queer, a plane so wide!
Lord, these are thankful tears that I have stood beside
This man who led my soul from room to room
Of wonder-living in Love’s realm, who made
My woman’s fearful soul so unafraid
That, see! I smile through tears, Lord, even as he waits
At Death’s now opening gates!
Who gave him ways that made him queer
To all his kind, save me, who lived quite near;
Who for some hidden reason set apart
This man for whom I pray,
Draw near to-day,
As he lies lingering by the Styx’ lone bank;
Draw near, and let my glad tears thank
You for the soul of an eccentric man
Who opened gates to me; who, stronger than
Myself, drew me, despite myself, to his own plane —
A plane too high for hurts from those to whom
He seemed so queer, a plane so wide!
Lord, these are thankful tears that I have stood beside
This man who led my soul from room to room
Of wonder-living in Love’s realm, who made
My woman’s fearful soul so unafraid
That, see! I smile through tears, Lord, even as he waits
At Death’s now opening gates!