For He Alone Is Life

If fire could live, ‘twould be a flame,
Which grows and shrinks, never the same
But always there. ‘Twould make a game
Of every changing wind, nor tame
It’s fierce desires, yet take the blame
When love does not fulfill her name.
‘Twould make the highest airs its aim
And never let the mountain claim
A height over it. Always frame
It’s hopes, ambitions, unto fame
And glory that is self-acclaim.
Brighter than all, ‘twould think that lame
The person is who takes a maim
And bears not through. So would the flame –
But fire cannot live.

If water could live, ‘twould be a sea
Filled to the brink with memory
And waves that whisper poetry
Unto the world eternally.
‘Twould share the deepest mystery
Of tide and deep. Fore’er to be
The same, though face change constantly
From wind and waves. Impossibly
‘Twould bury every injury
Forgiving all, protectively
Allow for our humanity
And all its flaws. ‘Twould musically
Show that all is not what we see:
Night has glory. So would the sea –
But water cannot live.

If ether could live, ‘twould be an air
Lifting the heart to heavens where
‘Twould freely dance upon the fair
White backs of clouds, and show that rare
The feeling is of pure release. Bear
Every burden and every care
Away. ‘Twould teach that when we share
By song and words of hope, we dare
The dark to flee. ‘Twould blow the tear
Back to a seal, and whisper scare
Be gone. ‘Twould never wear:
Within, without and round fore’er.
‘Twould cleanse the past from every lair,
And breathe new life. So would the air –
But ether cannot live.

If world could live, ‘twould be the earth
So vast, yet putting greatest worth
In what is small. Though mighty girth
Of land it hath, still giving birth
To little things: beast, plants. ‘Twould mirth
In life espoused from every turf
Proving how dear each is. No north
Nor south, nor east, nor west-born serf
Should claim the mastery. Imperf-
Ect are all livings things and dearth
There is of mem’ry that the berth
Of every life can ne’er be sure, hath
Founding, ending, and the firth
Through which we float unto the surf
Leads dust to dust. So would the earth –
But world cannot live.

Since we can live, our passion’s claim
May be that it resembles flame.
Since we can live, our harmony
A kind which looks just like the sea.
Since we can live, our every care
Be high and light as windy air.
Since we can live, our foremost worth
In how God took us from the earth.

For God made everything and more
Than we can understand, before
The sons of Men breathed life. And for
Our lowly race He, living, bore
The pain of our sin; paid the score;
Died, and dying, the veil He tore;
Is seated now forevermore
In Heaven. Of all brethren fore-
Most, He redeems from sin to glor-
Y in the place were made for.
This is the God who made the shore
The sky, the streams, the sun. Though poor
Our sinful selves are, He is more
Than rich in mercy. So does God.
For He alone is life.