I saw the cloudless morning's azure sky,
The wintry whiteness of a frosted field,
The blossom tints from heav'n's own rainbow palette -
And traced within all these
The knowing wisdom
Of an angel's hand.
And if I had the cunning skill
To paint these moments on a page,
To realise my inward view,
I would but draw on all the wisdom
Of their Immortal Maker:
His the fulsome splendour of a rose,
His the unmatch'd beauty first,
His the ardent hues picked out
From Noah's rainbow - covenant-sure.
And if, in fallen human frame,
Though marr'd by fallen Adam's mark,
I see some likeness to angelic form -
A mind to reckon up His power,
And hands to carry out His Will,
And feet to walk within His Way,
A heart withal, to love Him still -
Like Caesar's penny, I owe my all
To Him.
Published in The Testimony, July 2002, p283