The Stundist in Siberian Exile AND OTHER POEMS, William Fetler, 1922

many a stripe, Thou, Fairest of All! my love is ripe— Now never from Thee to depart! Now, nearer than father and mother and child, Now, dearer than husband or wife. Art Thou to me who was once beguiled ; Thy gentleness, so forgiving and mild, Has restored the joy of my life. 32 ECCLESIASTES TWELVE ECCLESIASTES TWELVE “ For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of a man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away. . . ." —I Pet. i. 24. Yes ! also I was young and brave, I built and planted, planned and wrought; I used to laugh at death and grave. My deeds responded to my thought. But death has come into my bones, I’m prematurely weak and old ; Instead of bread—I’m raising stones. My look has turned so stern and cold ! I used to sing of gardens fair. But now of graveyards do I talk ; I used to be here, everywhere— But now around I barely walk. With weary limbs and tired head, I lie the whole night half awake ; A little yet and I’ll be dead— Fresh blood and brains will live instead, Until the great Daybreak! November 15, 1919. ! : THE VILLAGE PRIEST POINTS OUT THE HERETIC’S HOUSE THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS 33 THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS Psalm xxxii. The heaven was brass to me : I cried and wailed and wept— Through many a night unslept I would turn, my God, to Thee, Without an answer, without a sign Of Presence Divine. Was there no God to reply ? Or was He deaf to my cry ? Austere, serene and august And turning away from the mean Did He only care for the clean, Despising the child of dust ? Is there no chance for me To find in heaven a place ?— To whisper my prayer to Thee, To look once more on Thy face ? But day and night His hand Was upon me heavy and strong Until I should understand, Would confess all sin and wrong. 3 34 THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS When, with tears of shame and sadness I poured out my heart at Thy feet, At once I was filled with gladness, With pardon and peace complete! July 9, 1919. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD HIS REST “ He that is entered into his rest , he also hath ceased from his own works . . . . For we which have believed do enter into rest ”— Heb. iv. io, 3. We have an understanding— My Lord and I : For He alone can help me, And He doth satisfy. I trusted in His promise, For it was best; The storm at once subsided And now I rest. Worn out and heavy laden, I roamed around; My strength was quickly failing, My mind unsound. Dark thoughts would come aflying, Besieging me ; I wrestled hard and laboured, But was not free. I took advice from others, Their plans I tried ; They seemed so good and helpful Until applied ! 37 38 HIS REST The system was so perfect, All letters true— But frozen, dead and helpless To make me new. I went to His disciples And told my need; Despite their