poems of peace james allen

7/27/2019 Poems of Peace James Allen

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OEMS OF EACEincluding the lyrical dramatic poem Eolaus

by James Allen


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Contents Eolaus. A Lyrical - Dramatic Poem

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS

Buddha

If Me oly Uderstood

Practice ad Perce!tio

Li"erty

Lo# I sou#ht $hee

%eality

$o-morro& ad $o-day

Star of 'isdom

'ould you scale the (i#hest (ea)e

$o them that see* the (i#hest +ood

Oe $hi# Lac*i#

,ashas

$he lo&ly 'ay

$he Music of the Sea

Lo)es Couest

$o my Dau#hter Nora o her $eth Birthday

$he I&ard Purity

Self-Sacrifice

I ta*e %efu#e i $ruth

I $ruth/ am thy %edeemer

$he 'hite %o"e $he %i#hteous Ma

Choice

$ruth $rium!hat

O thou &ho &ouldst teach 0

If thou &ouldst ri#ht the 'orld

'hat of the Ni#ht1

2o&led#e

$he Ed of E)il

Ma Di)ie

Patiece

%estored

O releasi# a Ca!ti)e Bird

Art thou i Sorro& 1

'he I am Pure

Immortality

Are you Searchi#1


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EolausA lyrical dramatic poemDramatis Personae

Eolaus.The Prophet.Earth.Heaven.Cosmos.oices o! "ature.oices o! Truth.Echoes.

Scene# $A %eauti!ul &sland' (ooded. Eolaus sittin) on a !allen tree near thesea*shore.

Eolaus. +nto this lonely &sland & repairTo search !or peace. A!ter lon)' days and ni)hts+pon the (aters' storm*tossed and !ati)ued'My s,i!! Touched thy !air har%our' %lessed &sle."o( on thy !ra)rant %osom & (ill rest'And in thy spiritual ecstasyS(eetly participate # thy lovelinessEntrances me- thy rest!ulness en(eavesMy thou)hts (ith peace imperisha%le - thou

Art silent' solitary' %eauti!ul'And & am lonely - yet thy solitudePerchance (ill com!ort me' and ta,e a(ayMy loneliness and pain. O Solitude Thou ha%itation o! aspirin) hearts -Thou li)ht and %eacon o! the pure - thou )uideO! them that cry in dar,ness - thou s(eet !riendO! sorro( stric,en (anderers- thou sta!!And stay o! the stron) clim%er up the hills'Trac,less and stran)e' o! Truth- instructor thou'And teacher o! the teacha%le and true'/eloved o! the lo(ly' (ise and )ood'/e my companion no(' and ta,e a(ayThe (orld0s ache !rom my %osom & am tiredO! the vain Hi)h(ays' (here the noise and dinDro(ns all %ut sad remem%rance - tired o! allThe tumult and the terror and the tearsThat rule discordant in the House o! 1i!e'Sha,in) %ut not destroyin)' as the storms'


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Con!ederate (ith the oceans' sha,e the shoresAnd roc,*%o0und mar)ins o! the continents.& see, the peace that does not chan)e - the calmThat ,no(s no storm - the Silence that remains.Pleasure distur%s' and does not satis!y #2hen the e3citements o! the senses !ade'

Sorro( and pain return' and leave the heart4emorse!ul' desolate. As o0er the (asteAnd %arren moor the lonely curle( cries.So (ails the %ird o! an)uish o0er the mindSated (ith pleasure- 2oe and 2ant repairTo the a%ode o! Sel!ishness' and ta,e1e)ions o! miseries (ith them. & (ould !ind2here 2isdom is' (here Peace a%ides' (here Truth'Ma5estic' Chan)eless' and eternal' stands+ntouched %y the illusions o! the (orld#

For surely there is 6no(led)e' Truth' and PeaceFor him (ho see,s' seein) that i)noranceAnd error and a!!liction are- these proveThe unseen truths o%versely# dar,ness ma,es1i)ht sure and certain' thou)h (e see it not.2e sleep and (a,e' and' (a,in)' ,no( the dreamThat trou%led us in sleep - ho( it arose'Phantasmal and chaotic' in the mind1e!t all un)overned - even so perchanceThis li!e o! passion and o! (ild desire

7Trou%led' chaotic' and not understood8'May %e' as 0t(ere' a dream - and i! a dreamO! the unmastered mind' (e shall a(a,eOut o! the ni)htmare o! our miseries'And ,no( the )ladness o! 4eality./ut ho( shall one a(a,e 9 Ho(' i! not %y/ridlin) his passions' cur%in) his desires/y master!ul dominion o! the (ill 9&! passions %e the trou%led dreams o! li!e'And not its su%stance and reality'Then he (ho sha,es o!! passion shall a(a,eAnd ,no( the Truth - surely this must %e so There!ore unto this un!re:uented placeHave & addressed mysel!' that & may )ain'/y purity and stron) sel!*mastery'Th0 a(a,ened vision that doth set men !reeFrom pain!ul slum%er and the ni)ht o! )rie!.Here uno%served and solitary' &2ill puri!y my heart and train my mind


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1ove and happiness and mirth.

First oice.

Come' Eolaus Eolaus' come

Echo.

Eolaus' come Third oice.

2hat is seen is sure -2hat is !elt is ,no(nPleasure is secure-Joy is li!e alone.

First oice.


Echo.

Eolaus' come

Second oice.

Come and drin, the (ine o! li!e - Pleasure0s vinta)e come and taste -1eave thy !ruitless search and stri!e- Holy vi)ils (ear and (aste=outh' !or love and revels !ramed# "ature thus is %lindly %lamed.

First oice.Come' Eolaus Eolaus' come

Echo.

Eolaus' come

Third oice.

Thin, no more o! lo( and hi)h - 1eave thy clim%in)s' and !or)etAim and stru))le' dou%t and si)h -

1evel is the path(ay setO! en5oyment# see, no more -4est thou here' thy (oe is o0er

First oice.

Eolaus come1et me lead thee' Eolaus 1et me )uide thee' Eolaus



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Echo.

Eolaus' come

Earth.

+nnum%ered a)es have & rolled Throu)h the a%ysmal spaces -And eons ne( !rom eons old

Th0 Eternal Fin)er traces -And & must !ollo( (here it moves - "o rest no rest2ith hopes and !ears and hates and loves +n%lest un%lest

Fourth oice.

1isten' O Eolaus

Sorro( doth dar,en all the universe -&ts creatures are involved in pain and (oe -Helpless they cry' and no one hears or aids -

Dar,' dar, is li!e' and none its meanin) ,no(.

Eolaus' hear "one can lead thee' Eolaus "one can )uide thee' Eolaus

Hear' Eolaus Eolaus' hear

Echo.

Eolaus' hear

Fi!th oice.There is pain and (oe and sorro(&n the hospital o! Earth -Every ni)ht and morn and morro(/rin)eth drou)ht and death and dearth.

Fourth oice.


Echo.

Eolaus' hearSi3th oice.

2hat is Sean0s unsure-2hat is !elt is %lo(n-Sel! is insecure-1i!e is pain alone.

Fourth oice.


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Echo.

Eolaus' hear

Several oices.

2e moan and si)h -2e so% and cry -2e (ander' li,e the (ind upon the stream'ainly !or peace'See,in) releaseFrom the ,een pain o! our unendin) dream.

Fourth oice.

Eolaus' hear"one can lead thee' Eolaus one can )uide thee' Eolaus


Echo.

Eolaus' hear

oices o! Truth.

First oice.

A(a,e' O EolausArise Sha,e o!! the dreams o! "i)ht'Open thine eyes' and sec the 1i)ht-

Passionless 2isdom (aits !or thee&n sorro(less serenity.1eave thou the !leetin) shapes o! Time'The ru))ed 2ay o! Truth su%lime2al, thou - nor !ear' nor )rieve' nor lust'Scornin) the sel! (hose end is dust.2a,e' Eolaus Eolaus' (a,e

Chorus o! oices.

Eolaus' (a,e

Second oice.6no(led)e is !or him (ho see,s -2isdom cro(neth him (ho strives-Peace in sinless silence spea,s-All thin)s perish' Truth survives

First oice.

2a,e' Eolaus Eolaus' (a,e


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oices.

Eolaus' (a,e

Third oice.

Follo( (here irtue leads'Hi)h and still hi)her-

1isten (hen Pureness pleads'>uench not her !ire.1o he shall see4eality'2ho cometh up(ard' cleansed !rom all desire.

First oice.

2a,e' Eolaus Eolaus' (a,e

oices.

Eolaus' (a,eFourth oice.

He (ho attaineth unto PurityThe !aultless Parthenon o! Truth doth see.A(a,e disperse the dreams o! sel! and sin /ehold the Shinin)


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&n the visions o! the a)es& am evermore re!lected -&n the precepts o! the Sa)es& am spo,en and re5ected.& can su!!er no distortion'Sin and sorro( cannot stain me -

Fi3ed and !aultless in proportion'He must %end (ho (ould attain me.

Eolaus' (a,in).

2ho (ill lead me' (ho (ill )uide me&n my deep perple3ity9

Heaven.

&n the middle o! the &sland2aits the sa)e (hom you are see,in)-On the 4oc, (hich cannot crum%leSits the Prophet (ho (ill )uide you.

Eolaus (a,es.

Eolaus. 0Mid the con!lictin) visions o! the mind& dar,ly )rope' and nevermore can !indThe stead!astness and surety that & see, -2here clamour rei)ns the Silence connot spea,-So many voices and so many (ays So many (and0rin)s the ni)hts and days

One (ay & see,' one voice & lon) to hear'/ut Truth eludes me and does not appear'"o( to this &sland0s centre & repairTo see, the Prophet (ho a%ideth there.

The scene chan)es to the centre o! the &sland. An a)ed and venera%le manappears' sittin) upon a roc,.

Eolaus.Art thou the Prophet (hom & see, 9

Prophet.& am.

Eolaus. /e thou my )uide' !or thou art (ise' and &Am i)norant- spea, thou' and & (ill hear-Teach me' and & (ill %e instructed - ma,eMe to %ehold the Path (hich leads to Truth'And & (ill (al, i! thou)h it %e o0erstre(n2ith !lints and %urrs- and i! it needs must come2ithin the round o! holy disciplineThat one shall (al, that (ay (ith na,ed !eet'Or else !ore)o the end and vie( o! Truth'


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Then %are!oot & (ill (al, it' and account/leedin)s and (ounds and lacerationsAs aids unto my (ill and !ortitude'As tas,s (isely ordained' and so to %e


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Thysel! (ith calmness- master that in thee #2hich masters others' and (hich hereto!oreHas mastered thee# let not thy passions rule'/ut rule thy passions- su%5u)ate thysel!Till passion is transmuted into peace'And (isdom cro(n thee- so shalt thou attain

And' %y attainin)' ,no(.Eolaus. Hard is the path.2hich thou hast set %e!ore me- steep and stran)e&ts ascent- un!amiliar and un,no(nThe Place (hereto it leads# & see it risePrecipitous %ut yet accessi%le'/eyond the reach o! vision# (hat a(aitsThe clim%er' none %ut he (ho clim%s may ,no(-For i! one as,' and' (ith %elievin) earsAttend the spiritual Mountaineer

&n his depicture o! the un,no(n hei)hts'2hat ,no(s he more' thou)h more %elievin) 9 2hat


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My mind' and drives me (hither & ,no( not'&tsel! a speculation 9 2hat a%ides 9Alas all that (e have and ,no( is cau)ht&n transiency- chan)es that never end4oll (ave * li,e o0er the restless universe.And man is tossed therein- so it %e!alls

That everythin) (hich comes into his )rasp$/earin) the !ace o! an endurin) 5oy$A!ter a little !ever o! deli)ht&s torn a(ay a)ain# nothin) endures #All thin)s are dyin) even (hile they live-And li!e is passin) (hile it seems to (ait.There is no s(eet possession' no rare 5oy'"o cherished circumstance' no pri?ed deli)ht"o lovely thin)' o! (hich it can %e said'$@There is no time (hen this (ill never %e.@2hat comes to pass' passes' and conies no more-

2hat )ro(s' decays- (hat rises' !alls- (hat livesAnd !lour ishes' dies and doth !ade a(ay#2here then is surety- 2here is ,no(led)e9 2here&s rest and re!u)e9

Prophet.There is rest in Truth.

Eolaus. &s there no rest in death 9

Prophet.There is no rest&n death.

Eolaus. "o rest in death nor li!e 9

Prophet."o rest&n death nor li!e- yet or in death or li!e'2here Truth is' there is rest.

Eolaus.Prophet o!


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For (hoso !ollo(s passion !indeth pain'/ut (hoso con:uers passion !indeth peace.

Eolaus. "ot to %e su%5ect unto passion' %utTo su%5ect passion'$is this then the (ay 9

Prophet.Thou hast (ell said. As the s(eet nut is held.

&n the hard shell' and cannot %e en5oyed/ut %y destruction o! the hus,' so Truth&n passsion is preserved' %ut is not ,no(nTill passion %e destroyed and cast a(ay.He (ho preserveth passion' dreadin) lossO! s(eetness and en5oyment' cannot ,no(The %liss o! Truth' nor ! ind (here (isdom is#He is a prodi)al' !eedin) uponThe hus,s o! li!e' the empty sho(s o! thin)s.And ,no(in) not its ,ernel' seein) not

The chan)eless su%stance o! 4eality.He only ,no(s (ho con:uers evil- he'2ho masters sel!' passes %eyond the dim+ncertain li)ht o! !aith' and on him %rea,sThe li)ht o! Per!ect 6no(led)e (hich en!oldsEmancipation' )ladness' per!ect peace.

Eolaus. & ,no( that sorro( !ollo(s passion- ,no(That )rie! and emptiness and heartaches (ait+pon all earthly 5oys - so am & sad -=et Truth must %e' and' %ein)' can %e !ound-

And thou)h & am in sorro(' this & ,no($& shall %e )lad (hen & have !ound the Truth.

Prophet.There is no )ladness li,e the 5oy o! Truth.The pure in heart s(im in a sea o! %lissThat evermore nor sorro( ,no(s' nor pain -For (ho can see the Cosmos and %e sad 9To ,no( is to %e happy- they re5oice2ho have attained Per!ection- these are they2ho live' and ,no(' and reali?e the Truth.

Eolaus. & strive !or that Per!ection- shall & reachThe Hei)hts o! /lessed ision 9

Prophet.Com!ort ye'The Hei)hts o! /lessed ision ye shall reach.

Eolaus.=et ho(' and (hen' and (here 9 & am con!used.The 2ay is near' and yet & see it not

Prophet. He must %e !riendly (ith the (orm and toad2ho (ould %e the companion o! the (ise'


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And ,no( the Cosmic Splendour- he must stoop2ho see,s to stand- must !all (ho !ain (ould rise -Must ,no( the lo(' ascendin) to the hi)h #He (ho (ould ,no( the


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Appearin) o! the vision o! a 1i!easter than li!e # the Cosmos is su%lime My eyes (ill open' & shall see the Truth'And' seein)' shall %e )lad !or evermore

Prophet. /e mind!ul' or the thou)ht that soars (ill sin, #/e lo(ly' patient' (ell*instructed- holdThysel! in chec,*' %y many sin)le stepsAll 5ourneys reach completion# as the treeThat rears its stately head to(ard the s,y$/esto(in) shade and shelter$issued !romA tiny seed' and' (aitin) patiently+pon the la( o! )ro(th' it came to %eThe thin) ma5estic that it no( appears'$So (isdom !rom a sin)le act o! )ood2ell*planted' (atched' and (atered' comes at lastTo its su%lime proportions.

Eolaus.& (ill tendThe plant o! (isdom (ith all dili)ence'And (atch its )ro(th to(ard per!ection.Sho( me the uno%served and lo(ly 2ay -1et praise' re(ard' and popularity/e no more s(eet to me' and no more sou)ht-1et sel! %e %lotted out' & see, the Truth.

Prophet. "o( listen' and attend#$the pi)eons pic,Holes in the %uildin)s' and the storm o0erturns

That they had (ea,ened# little !ailin)s eatHoles in the citadel o! Character2hich' (ea,ened thus' cannot (ithstand the stormsO! circumstance' %ut (ea,ly !alls %e!oreTempestuous temptations. As the %ee/uildeth the honeycom%' the %ird its nest'The %uilder his stron) house' e0en %it %y %it'Stra( unto stra(' and stone laid upon stone'+ntil the !inished thin) and per!ect (holeCro(ns e!!ort (ith success'$so the (ise man./y addin) thou)ht to thou)ht and deed to deed&n (ays o! )ood' %uildeth his character.1ittle %y little he accomplishesHis no%le ends- in :uiet patience (or,sDili)ently' (hile others sleep' or sla,eTheir hot desires in riot- no(ise movedFrom his main purpose %y perple3ities'Falls' errors' !ailures' di!!iculties' pains'Daily he %uilds into his heart and mind


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Pure thou)hts' hi)h aspirations' sel!less deeds'+ntil at last the edi!ice o! Truth&s !inished' and %ehold there rises and appearsThe Temple o! Per!ection.

Eolaus.& have !oundThe little


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And have compassion on them - ,no( their pain/y thy lon) sorro( ended. Thou (ilt comeTo per!ect peace' and so (ilt %less the (orld'1eadin) unto the Hi)h and Holy 2ayThe !eet o! them that see,.$And no( & )oTo my A%ode- )o thou unto thy (or,.

Eolaus. Prophet o! Peace' & )o# and unto Thee'Spirit o! Truth' & come. To all the (orld'And all that lives' !or evermore %e peace.

Cosmos

& am- Per!ection is' and Peace - Evil is )one' %eholdin) Me -And they !rom sin and sorro( cease 2ho loo, upon my Symmetry.2hen !ault and !ailure !ind my Form'

1o' !ault and !ailure are no more & am the sunshine and the storm' The (hisper' and the ocean0s roar The creepin) action that deceives' The lie' the the!t' the murderer0s ire'All these my Cruci%le receive' They %urn in my Celestial Fire.All superstitions' errors' (iles' The cra(lin) cra!t' the cruel lust'All that de%ases and de!iles

& )rind' and scatter in in the dust.The "ations rise' the Empires !all' And & eternally rehearse'To scene and strain ma5estical' The Drama o! the +niverse.The Eons pass' the systems pale' +nchan)ed their chan)es %ehold -They listen' and & tell my Tale- & all their !leetin) !orms en!old.2ho ,no(eth Me' %ecometh Me- 2ho hath my ision !inds releaseFrom Dar,ness and Captivity. & am - Per!ection is' and Peace.


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Miscellaneous poems/uddha+nder Mount 4atna)ira0s (estern shade'

2eary and (orn (ith his lon) search !or Truth'Sorro(in)' unsatis!ied' disconsolate'Sat /uddha' ,no(in) not (here he should turnTo !ind the Truth that he had so lon) sou)ht$The Truth that ma,eth stead!ast' stron)' and pure'The Truth that %rin)eth peace and %lessed rest.The Schools had !ailed him- the philosophies'Hoary and ancient' had not stilled the cryO! passion in his heart- and passion0s child'Sorro(' (as (ith him still- the scriptures' creeds'

Proud pillars o! the State' had !ailed to %earThe (ei)ht o! his )reat (oe' crum%lin) a(ay+nder temptation' leavin) him the preyStill o! desire and pain and clouded mind.Morti!ications he had tried' and theyHad le!t him stren)thless' (an' (antin) the Truth-And no( he seemed as one de!eated' %orne+pon the stream o! Fate' helpless' alone.

/ut (hile the /uddha %rooded in the shade'Suddenly on his ear there !ell a cry'

A so% o! pain' a piti!ul stran)e si)h -2hereat he rose' and le!t the shade' and sou)ht7He scarce ,ne( (hy' %ut that there leaped (ithinHis sorro(in) heart a mi)hty un,no(n love82hence came the cry- and presently he sa('+pon the road' 0mid thirsty clouds o! dust'+nder the !ierce %la?e o! the &ndian sun'A shepherd' drivin) hard a !loc, o! sheep-And in the rear there la))ed a little lam%2ith (ounded !eet' %leatin) most piteously'

The (hile the e(e' (ith an)uish deep and sore'Cried o0er her little one' ,no(in) that she2as helpless to relieve her.

2hen /uddha sa(The piteous spectacle' compassion sle(His o(n deep sorro(- and he strai)ht(ay too,The (ounded &am%' and %ore it in his arms'Sayin)' 0ain are the strivin)s o! the soul


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A!ter vain ,no(led)e- vain the learned loreThat hath not pity in it- vain is li!eThat hath not love- and (hatsoe0er is !alse'And (hat uncertain' thou)h it seemeth true'This thin) is true' that & should pity thee.The priests (ho pray and read' and read and pray'

Die in their sins at last' and do not !indThe 1ove & mourn !or' the deep Truth & see, -And %etter (here it that & ease thy painThan pray (ith them' and see, and never !ind.Thee (ill & love- yea' & (ill pity thee2hom none (ill pity- thee (ill & relieve -Tired o! the soulless theor ies o! men'&' /uddh' (ill stoop to thee' thou dum%' (ea, thin)'2hom men despise' ,no(in) that this is true'2hate0er is dou%t!ul' and (hate0er unsure'

Pity and 1ove are ri)ht- (hat ever !adesAnd perishes' Compassion (ill not !ade'And 1ove (ill never perish.00 So he too,&nto his arms the (eary' (ounded thin)2hich nestled in his %osom' and %ecame>uiet and peace!ul- and the an3ious e(e2al,ed %y his side' loo,in) into his !ace'


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Does not cheer one lonely /rother'They (ould see, the %etter doin)O! )ood deeds (hich leaves no ruein)*$ &! they only understood.

&! men only understoodHo( 1ove con:uers - ho( prevailin)&s its mi)ht' )rim hate assailin)-Ho( Compassion endeth sorro('Ma,eth (ise' and doth not %orro(Pain o! passion- they (ould ever1ive in 1ove' in hatred never$ &! they only understood.

ractice and perception>uestionin) 1i!e and Destiny and Truth'

& sou)ht the dar, and la%yrinthine Sphin3'2ho spa,e to me this stran)e and (ondrous thin) #$@ Concealment only lies in %linded eyes'And


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O! all thy lac, o! peace- ope thou thine eyes'1eave the dead past' and loo, (ithin - %e (ise.

Ma,e pure thy heart' and thou (ilt ma,e thy li!e4ich' s(eet' and %eauti!ul' unmarred %y stri!e -


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That (hich should have %een thy Temple' (herein thou should0st move andd(ell - Prayin)' strivin)' hopin)' callin) - Su!!erin)' sorro(in) in my !allin)'Still & sou)ht thee' )ropin) %lindly in the )loomy depths o! hell.

And & sou)ht thee till & !ound thee- And the dar, Po(ers all around meFled and le!t me silent' peace!ul' %roodin) o0er thy holy themes - From (ithin me and (ithout me Fled they (hen & ceased to dou%t thee -And & !ound thee in thy


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For toil * (orn !eet' the narro(' (eed * )ro(n trails 2hich (ind throu)h common (ays to 5oy!ul


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1earn it !aith!ully and hum%ly-1earn it mee,ly' (isely' )ladly'Ancient star o! holy ishnu'1i)ht o! 6rishna' /uddha' Jesus.

2ould you scale the hi)hest heaven2ould you scale the hi)hest heaven' 2ould you pierce the lo(est hell'$1ive in dreams o! constant %eauty' Or in %asest thin,in)s d(ell.

For your thou)hts are heaven a%ove you' And your thou)hts are hell %elo( -/liss is not' e3cept in thin,in)' Torment nau)ht %ut thou)ht can ,no(.

2orlds (ould vanish %ut !or thin,in) -


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And the Hi)hest you shall %e.

To them that see, the hi)hest )oodTo them that see, the hi)hest


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Then as,ed he so!tly' and (ith hum%le pleadin)'$ @


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Then came the youth' (ith !ootsteps !ast and !aster' +nto the /lessed Teacher o! man,ind'And' (eepin)' !ell %e!ore the Holy Master' Sayin)' @


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At last the land o! immortality.

And & may see, and !ind- & may achieve -& may not claim' %ut' losin)' may retrieve'The 1a( %ends not !or me' %ut & must %end+nto the 1a(' i! & (ould reach the endO! my a!!lictions' i! & (ould restoreMy soul to 1i)ht and 1i!e and (eep no more.

"ot mine the arro)ant and sel!ish claimTo all )ood thin)s- %e mine the lo(ly aimTo see, and !ind' to ,no( and comprehend'And (isdom*(ard all holy !ootsteps (end"othin) is mine to claim or to command'/ut all is mine to ,no( and understand.

The music o! the sea& love to hear the music o! the sea' As' playin) on the everlastin) shore'&ts stran)e' pro!ound' and mystic melody' &t chants the soul o! man !or evermore.

&t sin)s o! (rec,!ul passion (hen it %eats 2ith unrestrained (ildness on the roc,s-Then (ith succeedin) sorro( it retreats' So%%in) o0er pain o! sel!* in!licted shoc,s.

O! martyrdom and silent pain it spea,s

2hen' dum%ly moanin)' lan)uidly it rolls -And (eirdly (ails' as on the roc,s it %rea,s' The deadness and despair o! human souls.

&ts scintillations on the pe%%ly %each' Min)lin) (ith sunshine and the play!ul %ree?e'Are %u%%lin) merr iment and mirth that reach "o deeper than the sensuous vision sees.

2hen' scarcely murmur in)' placidly it lies' &t (hispers o! the silent heart o! peace-O! that unuttera%le state (here dies Passion' and all our human sorro(s cease.

Play!ul' pertur%ed' peace!ul' tempestuous' 4e!lected in thy heart' thy peace' thy stri!e'&s the stran)e passion and peace in us' The madness and the (isdom o! our li!e.

Thou sym%ol o! the human soul' O sea & love to hear thee' on the lonely shore


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Chantin) thy everlastin) melody' Sin)in) the soul o! man !or evermore.

1ove0s con:uest& stood upon the shore' and sa( the roc,s

4esist the onslau)ht o! the mi)hty sea'And (hen & thou)ht ho( all the countless shoc,s They had (ithstood throu)h an eternity'& said' @ To (ear a(ay this solid mainThe ceaseless e!!orts o! the (aves are vain.@

/ut (hen & thou)ht ho( they the roc,s had rent' And sa( the sand and shin)les at my !eet7Poor passive remnants o! resistance spent8 Tum%led and tossed (here they the (aters meet'Then sa( & ancient landmar,s0 neath the (aves'

And ,ne( the (aters held the stones their slaves.& sa( the mi)hty (or, the (aters (rou)ht /y patient so!tness and unceasin) !lo( -Ho( they the proudest promontory %rou)ht +nto their !eet' and massy hills laid lo( -Ho( the so!t drops the adamantine (allCon:uered at last' and %rou)ht it to its !all.

And then & ,ne( that hard' resistin) sin Should yield at last to 1ove0s so!t ceaseless roll

Comin) and )oin)' ever !lo(in) in +pon the proud roc,s o! the human soul-That all resistance should %e spent and past'And every heart yield unto it at last.

To my dau)hter "ora on her tenth %irthdaySince (hen thou earnest' (ith thy native charms'A (eepin) in!ant to thy mother0s arms'Ten !leetin) years have li!ted up thy head+nto my %reast - ten years o! love are !led'

/ut all their store o! innocence and %liss4emains (ith thee- thy mother0s and my ,issSeal it !or ever thine Those )uileless (ays2hich' (al,in)' have !illed up thy tender days'May0st thou !or ever ,eep- may thy pure heart6eep al(ays pure' that no unholy dartPierce it (ith an)uish- may remorse and painShrin, !rom thy hallo(ed presence' and no stain


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Soil thy (hite ro%es o! peace. O %e thou sure/liss !ollo(s in the !ootsteps o! the pure.And (hatsoe0er shall tempt o! (ron) or stri!e'Hold !ast the rare )em o! a %lameless li!e -"or lose' nor li)htly hold' %ut %ind to theeThe priceless 5e(el o! thy purity.

The in(ard purityFind ye that li!e is an)uish' and that sel!*love is a chainThat %inds thy :uiverin) soul' and cuts (ith %itin) stin)s o! pain9


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Shall not avail to (ash it (hite a)ain.

2hile in the path o! i)norance & (al,' The stains o! error (ill not cease to clin)-De!ilements mar, the croo,ed path o! sel!' 2here an)uish lur,s and disappointments stin).

6no(led)e and (isdom only can avail To puri!y and ma,e my )arment clean'For therein lie love0s (aters- therein rests Peace undistur%ed' eternal' and serene.

Sin and repentance is the path o! pain' 6no(led)e and (isdom is the path o! Peace -/y the near (ay o! practice & (ill !ind

2here %liss %e)ins' ho( pains and sorro(s cease.

Sel! shall depart' and Truth shall ta,e its place - The Chan)eless One' the &ndivisi%leShall ta,e up His a%ode in me' and cleanse The (hite 4o%e o! the Heart &nvisi%le.

The ri)hteous man"o harm!ul sha!t can reach the ri)hteous man' Standin) erect amid the storms o! hate'De!yin) hurt and in5ury and %an' Surrounded %y the trem%lin) slaves o! Fate.

Ma5estic in the stren)th o! silent po(er' Serene he stands' nor chan)es not nor turns -Patient and !irm in su!!erin)0s dar,est hour' Time %ends to him' and death and doom he spurns.

2rath0s lurid li)htnin)s round a%out him play' And hell0s deep thunders roll a%out his head -=et heeds he not' !or him they cannot slay 2ho stands (hence earth and time and space are !led.

Sheltered %y deathless love' (hat !ear hath he9

Armoured in chan)eless Truth' (hat can he ,no(O! loss and )ain9 6no(in) eternity' He moves not (hilst the shado(s come and )o.

Call him immortal' call him Truth and 1i)ht And splendour o! prophetic ma5esty2ho %ideth thus amid the po(ers o! "i)ht' Clothed (ith the )lory o! divinity.


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ChoiceThe (ill to evil and the (ill to


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4ise up' and con:uer every in(ard !oe -/ehold the heavens' ho( radiantly they shine Stand up and stri,e' O con:ueror o! (oe

O thou (ho (ould0st teach.O thou (ho (ould0st teach men o! Truth Hast thou passed throu)h the desert o! dou%t9Art thou pur)ed %y the !ires o! sorro(9 hath ruth The !iends o! opinion cast outO! thy human heart 9 &s thy soul so !airThat no !alse thou)ht can ever har%our there 9

O thou (ho (ould0st teach men o! 1ove Hast thou passed throu)h the place o! despair 9Hast thou (ept throu)h the dar, ni)ht o! )rie!9 does it move 7"o( !reed !rom its sorro( and care8

Thy human heart to pityin) )entleness'1oo,in) on (ron)' and hate' and ceaseless stress 9

O thou (ho (ould0st teach men o! Peace Hast thou crossed the (ide ocean o! stri!e9Hast thou !ound on the Shores o! the Silence' release From all the (ild unrest o! li!e9From thy human heart hath all strivin) )one'1eavin) %ut Truth' and 1ove' and Peace alone9

&! thou (ould0st ri)ht the (orld &! thou (ould0st ri)ht the(orld'And %anish all its evils and its (oes' Ma,e its (ild places %loom'And its drear deserts %lossom as the rose'$ Then ri)ht thysel!.

&! thou (ould0st turn the (orldFrom its lon)' lone captivity in sin'

4estore all %ro,en hearts'Slay )rie!' and let s(eet consolation in' $

Turn thou thysel!.&t thou (ould0st cure the (orld

O! its lon) sic,ness' end its )rie! and pain'/rin) in all*healin) Joy'

And )ive to the a!!licted rest a)ain'$ Then cure thysel!.

&! thou (ould0st (a,e the (orld


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Out o! its dream o! death and dar,0nin) stri!e'/rin) it to 1ove and Peace'

And 1i)ht and %ri)htness o! immortal 1i!e'$ 2a,e thou thysel!.

2hat o! the ni)ht92hat o! the ni)ht' O 2atchman see0st thou yet The )limmerin) da(n upon the mountain hei)hts The )olden Herald o! the 1i)ht o! li)hts'Are his !air !eet upon the hilltops set 9

Cometh he yet to chase a(ay the )loom' And (ith it all the demons o! the "i)ht9 Stri,e yet his dartin) rays upon thy si)ht9Hear0st thou his voice' the sound o! error0s doom9

The Mornin) cometh' lover o! the 1i)ht- E0en no( He )ilds (ith )old the mountain0s %ro(' Dimly & see the path (hereon e0en no(His shinin) !eet are set to(ard the "i)ht.

Dar,ness shall pass a(ay' and all the thin)s That love the dar,ness' and that hate the 1i)ht Shall disappear !or ever (ith the "i)ht#4e5oice !or thus the speedin) Herald sin)s.

6no(led)e2e !ind the


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Are shaped to Truth and 2isdom- then (e seeThe end o! %onda)e and captivity.

All )ood is ever (ith us - (e %ut (ant2isdom to ta,e it- (e are poor and scantOnly in lac,in) (isdom - that ac:uired'The )ood is ours that (e so lon) desired.

/e stilt any soul and ,no( that peace is thine-/e stead!ast' heart' and ,no( that stren)th divine/elon)s to thee # cease !rom thy turmoil' mind'And thou the Everlastin) 4est shalt !ind.

Man divineMan is superior to sin and shame' Evil and error he (ill yet dethrone'The %easts (ithin he (ill o0ercome and tame' The %rute (ill pass' the An)el (tll %e ,no(n -=ea' even no( the Man divine appears'Cro(ned (ith con:uest' victor o0er all !ears.

Hail to thee' Man divine the con:ueror O! sin and shame and sorro(- no more (ea,'2ormli,e and )rovellin) art thou - no' nor 2ilt thou a)ain %o( do(n to thin)s that (rea,Scour)in)s and death upon thee- thou dost riseTriumphant in thy stren)th - )ood' pure' and (ise.

atience2hy this !ierce stru))le to achieve thine ends 9This sel!ish ar)ument 9 This !ire (hich lends Heat to resentment' ashes to remorse9Canst thou %end Truth and "ature to thy (ill 9/end thou' and (or, and (ait- %e stron) and still - So!t )ro(th is stron)er than vehement !orce.

/e as a !lo(er' content to %e' to )ro(&n s(eetness day %y day- content to ,no( The hidden %lessin) in the seemin) curse -A child o! 1ove' unar)umentative-Content to %e and ,no( $ as thou dost live$ The simple secret o! the +niverse.

4estoredEa)er !or stri!e and stru))le' Sel! and )ain'


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And heedin) not the )entle oice o! Truth'2e strive and (restle in dar, (ays o! pain'And' %lind and lost in passion' (e disdain The uno%trusive 2ay o! 1ove and ruth -So live (e on in sorro( and in (oe'"or rest can !ind' nor %lessed )ladness ,no(.

Tired o! stri!e and an)er' hate and pain' And (eary o! the (ran)lin)s o! the Schools'2e turn' and loo, into your !ace a)ain'/eloved %rother' sister- nor in vain Search (e (ith purer eyes- %ut as in poolsSo!t' deep' and silent' )a?e (e' !indin) rest-So pass (e on our (ay' re!reshed and %lest.

On releasin) a captive %ird& !ound a little %ird held !ast' ensnared /y ruthless hands- a )entle' captive preyThirstin) !or !reedom' piteously scared' Stru))lin) in vain to 0scape and soar a(ay.

& mar,ed his terror' and & too, him up - His !lutter in) heart spo,e out his (ild despair.@1oo,' you and & (ith the )reat )ods shall sup This day'@ & said - then thre( him into air.

2hereat he soared' and (heeled' and !le( a(ay-


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& shall %e sure'2hen & am !ree !rom hatred' lust' and stri!e'& am in Truth' and Truth a%ides in me.& shall %e sa!e and sane and (holly !ree 2hen & am pure.

&mmortalityHe shall not die (ho see,s the 2ay o! Truth -He shall not see the corruption (ho doth (al,2ith stainless !eet the Path o! Purity -He shall not (ander in dar, (orlds o! (oe2ho !inds the

poems of peace james allen

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