Sacrament of Solitude

Let us go far away from manmade things,
Beyond the reach of every fretful cry,
And look upon the miracle of wings,
Glory of autumn trees, and burnished sky.

The fragile aster, with its wondering orb
Of blue, uplifted bravely to the frost,
Shall be a star of hope against the drab
Of dull gray twilights, when the way seems lost.

And bittersweet, in scarlet clusters hung
Upon some ancient wall of crumbling stone,
Shall flame, banner of high courage flung
To winter's challenge, that we make our own.

Here we shall find a moment's respite where
No manmade touch may mar, no voice intrude,
And, shrived of all our little irking care,
Drink deep God's sacrament of solitude.

~ Jessie Wilmore Murton