Poems (Coolidge)/"Unto Me"

by Helen Elizabeth Coolidge

"UNTO ME"

I am an hungered; yearnings fill my soul;
 Hast thou no crust to give my bitter need?
Under whose banner didst thou once enroll?
 'Tis for His sake I plead.

Athirst am I! do not the cup withhold,—
 But give it me, I pray, o'erflowing still
And say, "Oh! wanderer from the Shepherd's fold,
 For His dear sake, I will."

Upon thy threshold speak the kindly word;
 A stranger knocks,—show him an open door;
By One thy tone of welcome shall be heard;
 For His sake I implore.

Oh! let the garment of thy love enfold,
 And by thy pity all my suffering share;
For One has loved thee with a love untold:
 "For His sake." is my prayer.

In prison! yet, to me in mercy come,—
 For by thy love shall fetters loosened be;
So shalt thou hear in tender welcome home,
 "Ye did it unto me."