SACRAMENT OF FIRE By : John Oxenham
Kneel aways when you light a fire ! Kneel reverently and thankful be for Gods unfailing charity . And on the ascending flame inspire A little prayer , that shall upbear the incense of your thankfulness For this sweet grace of warmth and light For here here again is sacrifice for your delight ,
Within the wood , That lived a joyous life Through sunny days and rainy days And winter storms and strife ; - Within the peat That drank the moorland sweet Of bracken , within , and sweet bell-heather . And all the joy of gold gorse feather Flaming like love in winteriest weatherwhile snug below , in sun and snow Peat heard the beat of padding feet Of foal and dam , and ewe and lamb And the stamp of old bell-Wether , - Within the coal . Where the forest lie entombed Oak , Elm , Chestnut , Beach and Red Pine-bole- God shrined his sunshine and enwombed For you these stores of light and heat , Your life joys to be complete . These all have died that you might live , Yours now the high prerogative , - To loose their long captivities , - to give them new sweet span of life And fresh activities
Kneel always when you light a fire Kneel reverently And grateful be To God for his unfailing charity .
48 PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE