Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FINISHED HOUSE, by CHARLES LOUIS HENRY WAGNER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FINISHED HOUSE, by                    
First Line: The finished house. The realized dream of those
Last Line: O god of hosts! Amen.
Subject(s): Blessings; Dreams; Houses; Prayer; Nightmares


Written for the Dedication of the New Boston Y. M. C. A. Building

The finished house. The realized dream of those
Who bore the brunt of pioneering toil
Midst darkened hours of doubt and stern resolve
And saw it loom as Jacob viewed the steps
Loom high to Heaven; whose prayers moved mountain rocks
Of men's indifference.

Behold it now!
Complete it stands—complete, yet not complete,
Each brick within its bounds marks sacrifice
Of earnest souls who moulded flesh and blood
Into its chryalis. Its heritage
So grand, so rich, must equalled be by deeds
Ere it doth stand complete.

How proud it gleams!
A conscious pride. Its form seems animate
And breathing hope of future worth and place.
It feels the blood of Service course and run
Within its veins,—the purest, richest blood,
Drawn from its pristine source, the Master's heart,
The Sacrificial Lamb.

God's proven wealth!
The Book of Life. Its gold of knowledge shines
Within these walls, and needs no alchemist
To bare its sheen; no mint to coin its form
For earthly use. The struggling soul's desire
Is here fulfilled. Save immortality,
No greater boon exists.

The earth-clay's needs!
God's temple, loaned, herein finds strength renewed.
The deep, sore wounds of worldly conflict heal
As though some potent talisman had charmed
And cured straightway. The almost-man here finds
His nature's needed vent. The streams of life
Pulsate and flow within.

O God of Hosts!
This finished house we dedicate to Thee!
We pledge its service and its inhered strength
Unto Thy cause. Yet not in vaunting pride
We offer this. We but return a tithe
For measures granted us. Bless Thou this house,
O God of Hosts! Amen.





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