Poems (Ryan)/God Is Everywhere

by Mary C. Ryan

GOD IS EVERYWHERE

   One gloomy day,
   A man did stray
 Through fields and woodlands drear
   And chanced to see
   On the green lea,
 A flower sweet and fair.
It was the violet so blue,
 That he saw hiding there.

   "Why thus," he said,
   "Thy fragrance shed
 O'er this secluded spot?
   Oh! why not grow,
   Thy beauty show,
 And seek a brighter lot?
For thou would'st win some lover true
 In palace or a cot."

   It hung its head,
   And thus replied:—
 "My God has placed me here,
   And I'm content
   My life be spent
 This lonely spot to cheer;
To some faint heart, e'en I may show
 That God is everywhere.

   "And I alone,
   In modest tone,
 Far from the haunts of man,
   A soul may win,
   From loathsome sin,
 Back to its God again.
For o'er me here. His zephyrs blow,
 His care for me is seen."

   The man passed by.
   And heaved a sigh,
 But left the violet there.
   "Long live," he said,
   "Thy fragrance shed,
 For God is also here.
To my sad heart, well didst thou tell
 That He is everywhere.

   "For there's no place,
   Where there's no trace,
 Of His great love and care;
   Where'er I be,
   His love I see;
 For He is ever near.
Where space extends, His praises swell,
 For God is everywhere."