elegy for dunkirk

dear lord and father of mankind

forgive our foolish ways!

re-clothe us in our rightful mind

in purer lives thy service find

in deeper reverence praise. in simple trust like theirs who heard

beside the syrian sea

the gracious calling of the lord

let us

like them

without a word

rise up and follow thee. o sabbath rest by galilee!

o calm of hills above

where jesus knelt to share with thee

the silence of eternity

interpreted by love!

drop thy still dews of quietness

till all our strivings cease

take from our souls the strain and stress

and let our ordered lives confess

the beauty of thy peace. breathe through the heats of our desire

thy coolness and thy balm

let sense be dumb

let flesh retire

speak through the earthquake

wind

and fire

o still small voice of calm!