 | Brackenham Church |  |
35
GOLDEN WEDDING
‘Though radiance now is driven to leave behind
Beautiful ashes only, these are still
A pulse of guardian heat to warm the mind
That cannot fade from you, nor ever will,
By force of years in bloom with holiday
Beyond life's wearing practice to remove;
For all you pledged in front of God must stay
The lamp I took with towering pride from Love
To watch so piercingly that none but Death
Should blow it into darkness. Even he
Might stoop in doubt, before his gathered breath
Drove life from flame—and homely heaven from me.
Beautiful ashes only, these are still
A pulse of guardian heat to warm the mind
That cannot fade from you, nor ever will,
By force of years in bloom with holiday
Beyond life's wearing practice to remove;
For all you pledged in front of God must stay
The lamp I took with towering pride from Love
To watch so piercingly that none but Death
Should blow it into darkness. Even he
Might stoop in doubt, before his gathered breath
Drove life from flame—and homely heaven from me.
What is a fruit? The old age of a flower.
And what the windfall at my feet? This hour.’
And what the windfall at my feet? This hour.’
| Brackenham Church | |