Aspiration [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).]

Aspiration.

Closer yet! closer yet,
Thou King of Grace,
Up to Thy loving heart,
Up to Thy face,
Draw me with steady care —
Sun-chains of love —
Up earth’s uneven stair,
To Thy heart above.

Stronger yet! stronger yet
Tie me to Thee;
None but Thy firmest chain
Availeth me;
Yet let Thy lightest touch
Rest on my mind
With an almighty power,
My will to bind.

Deeper yet! deeper yet
Let thine eyes go,
All my entangled soul
Till they undo;
Their light of love and peace
Surely shall cure
All its wild pang of sin,
Leaving me pure.

Sweeter yet! sweeter yet,
Through the dark night,
Let Thy dear tender voice
Make my heart light;
Sweet words my eyes have read,
Turning to song,
Low-toned and thrilling through
Me the night long,

Warmer yet! warmer yet
Flush, oh, my cheek;
Quicker heart, quicker yet!
Joy does not break!
How can thy love express
All thou dost owe? —
Well for thee, heart of mine,
Our Christ doth know!

Source:
Menie Parkes, Poems, F. Cunninghame, Sydney, [1867], pages 115-116