If the earth like ourselves could be new-washed as clear,
It the world could be eased of its fear-aching care,
If the heart could be healed of its anger and hurt,
If we peeled off our doubts as we peel off our shirt,
If we knew that His mercy would flow from the tap,
If we knew that the sweat and the blood were a map
Of the kingdom of peace where the white lilies blow
Then the plug of our knowing would stop up the flow.
(Summer,
1972)
