My Flag
From Sawiki
My joy, my happiness, my sacred pride,
My heart's delight to see its folds flung wide -
The symbol of my Blood-bought, ransomed state -
And follow it, my vows to consummate.
Down meanest streets, in darkened ways afar
I pledged to go, led by that brilliant star:
`Ah ! Lord,' I cried, `I cannot Thee forsake,
Nor leave this flag, though all around should make
Me sorrowful; I cannot from Thee part.
I'll follow Thee, I'll bear this banner high,
I'll hold its folds close to me till I die!
But now I stand aside as it sweeps by,
Its radiant folds and shining star held high,
Its message free for all the world to read -
Clearest of all to me, who will not heed.
Sad tale: between my Lord and me there came
A vision, owning one accursed name -
The vision self! I had withstood the world
And proudly kept my Master's flag unfurled;
But petty pinpricks, slights which touched my pride,
Fancied neglect, coolness, my vows belied.
Backslidden now, with bitter, wounded heart...
My flag goes by - and with it I've no part.
No part? And yet it speaks of liberty,
Love, pardon, cleansing from impurity.
These need, with all my heart's desiring,
Complete surrender to my Lord's requiring.
Can I abase myself, forget the past,
Its shameful weight of sorrow from me cast,
Accept the message there for me to read,
Return to Him who is my soul's great need?
With anguished joy my heart cries out: `I will!'
And with that cry I know 'tis my flag still.
Dorothy O. Joy
