Gloria In Excelsis

From My Mother’s Poetry Notebook: Gloria in Excelsis

MARY LOUISE HOOLEY-CARLISLE·FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016

The glory-song of the ages lifts and rings
Where an organ rolls its thunder to the sky,
And a great cathedral choir stands and sings:
“Gloria in Excelsis.” Like a cry
Of victory it sounds across the earth
To herald out the little Christ Child’s birth.
The carolers down many a darkened street
Raise glad triumphant voices to the stars.
Climbing the windless air the song is sweet
And heaven itself has lowered its jeweled bars
That words once showered on a field’s white sod
May take their straight way to the throne of God.
“Gloria in Excelsis,” far and clear
From upflung throats of bells there comes the shout,
And through the night for listening hearts to hear,
The silver singing of great chimes ring out.
O sing it, shout it, and may nothing dim
The Christmas music mankind lifts for Him.

~ Grace Noll Crowell

Lessons From Nature

From My Mother’s Poetry Notebook: Lessons from nature

MARY LOUISE HOOLEY-CARLISLE·WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016

From the prisons of anxious tho’ts that greed has builded,

From the fetters that envy has wrought, and pride had gilded,

From the noise of the crowded ways and the fierce confusion,

From the folly that wastes its days in the world of illusion,

(Ah, but the life is lost that frets and languishes there!)

I would escape to be free in the joy of the open air.

By the faith that the flowers show when they bloom unbidden,

By the calm of the river’s flow to a goal that is hidden,

By the trust of the tree that clings to its deep foundation,

By the courage of wild birds’ wings on the longing migration,

(Wonderful secret of peace that abides in nature’s breast!)

Teach me how to confide, and live my life, and rest.

~ H. Van Dyke (untitled)

Habits

From My Mother’s Poetry Notebook: Habits

MARY LOUISE HOOLEY-CARLISLE·WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016

Habits

What habits build my character better, braver, stronger?

What habits make my health secure; make life finer, longer?

What habits keep my mind alert and farther seeing?

What habits help me in my work, my highest talents freeing?

What habits make me sweet and strong to aid a friend in sorrow?

Help someone stand against the wrong? Find new hope for the morrow?

What habits spread Christ’s praise abroad?

Help me ever near to God?

Author Unknown

God In The Marsh

From My Mother’s Poetry Notebook: God in the Marsh

MARY LOUISE HOOLEY-CARLISLE·WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016

As the marsh-hen secretly builds on the watery sand,
Behold I will build me a nest on the greatness of God;
I will fly in the greatness of God as the marsh-hen flies,
In the freedom that fills all the space ‘twixt the marsh and the skies;
By so many roots as the marsh-grass send in the sand,
I will heartily lay me a-hold on the greatness of God.

~ S. Lanier (?) [untitled]

Peace, Be Still

From My Mother’s Poetry Notebook: Peace, Be Still

MARY LOUISE HOOLEY-CARLISLE·WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016

I found a spot of beauty rare,
Both God and nature lingered there;
And in the quiet of the hill
I hear God whisper, “Peace, be still.”
In the deep arch of blue above
I read of His unbounded love
While in the murmur of the breeze,
The gentle rustling of the trees,
I heard His voice speak low and sweet:
“Fear not, my child, go forth and meet
Life squarely, for it is My will,
Receive My blessing: Peace, be still.”

~ M. Elizabeth Coulson (?) [untitled]

Release

From My Mother’s Poetry Notebook: Release

MARY LOUISE HOOLEY-CARLISLE·WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016

Release

Peace I have found in the soft-wind’s singing
And a glad new rest for my heart;
Gladness and joy in the gay bird’s winging
Into the west, peace impart;
Into my heart comes a silent lifting
Of a prayer to the skies above --
Here, in the quiet of the dew-wet evening,
I shall throw all my cares away;
Sorting them over, I shall go singing,
Leaving them here by the way.

~ Margaret Schaeffer Connelly

Jesus For Me

From My Mother’s Poetry Notebook: Jesus For Me

MARY LOUISE HOOLEY-CARLISLE·WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016

Jesus For Me

In the beginning of my day, with its care and its problems,
Jesus shall be my Counselor and my Help.
In the beginning of my temptation,
Jesus shall be my Defense.
In the beginning of discouragement,
Jesus shall be my Strength.
In the beginning of every joy,
Jesus shall receive my praise.
In the beginning of all my plans and hopes,
Jesus shall be my supreme Guide.

~ Author Unknown