Poems (Clark)/Answers

by Annie Maria Lawrence Clark

ANSWERS

I prayed for light, when over earth and sky Clouds drifted low,—The night came on apace, with wind and rain, And blinding snow.And on my heart there lay a nameless dread, How should I go?

I could but wait, God surely would not cast My prayer aside,For He has promised in the darkest hour To light provide,—And when the storm beat fiercest, Truth appeared My steps to guide.

I prayed for guidance, and my feet were led A dreary way,—Down rugged steeps, and over chasms wide, My journey lay,—A desolate and lonely path was mine From day to day.

I prayed for patience, and a heavy weight Pressed on my breast;The sorrow that I dreaded most, crept in To mar my rest.Joy's garlands faded, and the hopes proved vain That I prized best.

I prayed, and God my Father, answered me, In His own way:He sent the darkness, that unquestioning I might obey,And after night's drear tempest, find through truth Love's perfect day.

My prayer for guidance, too was not in vain, My heart He knew,And how the path I gladly would have trod, Though fair to view,Was not the narrow one that leads to life Perfect and true.

And so He led me in His own good way, And when I cried,And asked for patience, then my griefs and pains Were multiplied,That my poor heart might sooner yield its will To His, my Guide,And through my tears and anguish, learn to trust Him to provide.