Love's Prayer

 
 DEAR Lord! kind Lord!
Gracious Lord! I pray
Thou wilt look on all I love,
Tenderly to-day!

Weed their hearts of weariness;
Scatter every care,
Down a wake of angel wings
Winnowing the air.

Bring unto the sorrowing
All release from pain;
Let the lips of laughter
Overflow again,

And with all the needy
 O divide, I pray,
This vast treasure of content
 That is mine to-day!

By James Whitcomb Riley


The late James Whitcomb Riley was a resident of my home state of Indiana. (Indiana is a word that refers to the local Indians.) With Google's help. I have learned that when Indiana was created from the Northwest Territory in 1800, "Indiana" was the name given to the Indiana Territory by the United States Congress.

Indiana is often referred to as the Hoosier state. James Whitcomb Riley is known as the Hoosier poet. Riley lived in Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana. Indianapolis is about 75 miles from my home town of Terre Haute, Indiana. Riley's birth date was October 7, 1849. He died in July 22, 1916.

Riley died before my birth, but I am thrilled that his poetry had been printed, and saved, I have enjoyed his poetry, and am glad that Riley was given acclaim as our Indiana poet. I admire Riley as a person of distinction. Also, because Riley's poems touch my heart, I love the gift of his thoughts as well.

I am "tickled pink" that at my elder age, my memory still holds for me, the words and music of Riley's hymn, "Love's Prayer" At home, sometimes, I sing hymns aloud with my 84 year-old voice. At other times, I sing hymns within my mind. In my mind, but without actual sound, somehow I "hear," the music.

If a reader would like to see if she or he can hear silent music, try singing a simple tune in your mind. Try:

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
*******

MY QUESTION FOR TODAY

"Life is but a dream?"
If that is true,
Have I, for all of these 84 years.
been walking in my sleep?

Marylee Manson Armour
November 16, 2008