Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CIRCUIT RIDER, by MARY CAROLYN DAVIES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CIRCUIT RIDER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: God tramps on through the scourging rains
Last Line: Once more, god built a world—our west.
Alternate Author Name(s): Davis, Leland, Mrs.; Pawtuxie
Subject(s): Clergy; Methodism; Pioneers; West (u.s.); Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops; Southwest; Pacific States


God tramps on through the scourging rains;
God vaults into the saddle,
Rides alone past the dusty plains;
God's back bends to the paddle—
Cedar branches and sunlight through,
And on, still on, speeds the lone canoe.

God rides out on his ancient quest,
Healing, saving, commanding:
Here in the savage, unknown west
Settlement, cabin, landing,
Well they know the steady beat
In the stillness of God's horse's feet.

He leads to grace the pioneers
Who walk each hour with danger!
Knows these grim men for his peers
Gives his bread to the stranger:
Doing all that a neighbor can,
God rides still, a weary man.

God rides out! and founds three States,
Their scourger, their defender,
Guides their loves and tones their hates,
Leads them into splendor.
God—in the circuit rider's breast—
Once more, God built a world—Our West.





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