July 21-24, 2024

To a Poet Neither True nor Faithful

you would think to have me change

me, whose hand holds tight to God’s

He called me from where I was

is molding me into what I am

I would not change for you for worlds

you would think to have me change

by your clumsy words

scornful supplanting thought

by your accusatory words

of my closeminded inflexibility

by your presumptive words

abusing the very character of God

you would think to have me changed

by your futile arguments

with grasp on Truth less firm

than smoke before the gale

I. Will. Not!

I will not change for words as yours

would not though you speak as sage

your words, so bold and fiercely writ

own not the barest part of His Hope

I have

have not the least idea of His Love

I know

His truth, so more joyful than your lies

has called me to His side

I could no more leave Him than could fly

and to tell you the truth

I cannot understand how you could