Lord, In My Heart

Lord, In My Heart

For Countee Cullen

Holy haloes

Ring me round

 

Spirit waves on

Spirit sound

 

Meshach and

Abednego

 

Golden chariot

Swinging low

 

I recite them

in my sleep

 

Jordan’s cold

and briny deep

 

Bible lessons

Sunday school

 

Bow before the

Golden Rule

 

Now I wonder 

If I tried

 

Could I turn my

Cheek aside

 

Marveling with

Afterthought

 

Let the blow fall

Saying naught

 

Of my true Christ-

like control

 

And the nature 

of my soul

 

Would I strike with

rage divine

 

Till the culprit 

fell supine

 

Hit out broad all

fury red

 

Till my foes are

fallen dead

 

Teachers of my 

early youth

 

Taught forgiveness 

stressed the truth

 

Here then is my

Christian lack:

 

If I’m struck then

I’ll strike back.