Sacrament of Fire

[GameHauler]

SACRAMENT OF FIRE

By: John Oxenham

 

 

Kneel aways when you light a fire!

Kneel reverently and thankful be for Gods unfailing charity.

And on the ascending flame inspire

A little prayer, that shall upbear the incense of your thankfulness

For this sweet grace of warmth and light

For here here again is sacrifice for your delight,

 

Within the wood,

That lived a joyous life

Through sunny days and rainy days

And winter storms and strife;-

Within the peat

That drank the moorland sweet

Of bracken, within, and sweet bell-heather.

And all the joy of gold gorse feather

Flaming like love in winteriest weather-

while snug below, in sun and snow

Peat heard the beat of padding feet

Of foal and dam, and ewe and lamb

And the stamp of old bell-Wether,-

Within the coal.

Where the forest lie entombed

Oak, Elm, Chestnut, Beach and Red Pine-bole-

God shrined his sunshine and enwombed

For you these stores of light and heat,

Your life joys to be complete.

These all have died that you might live,

Yours now the high prerogative,-

To loose their long captivities,-

to give them new sweet span of life

And fresh activities

 

Kneel always when you light a fire

Kneel reverently

And grateful be

To God for his unfailing charity.

[Tucson John]

Wow! Nice poem.........thanks for sharing Game Hauler! I really enjoyed that.

 

TJ

[GameHauler]

Thanks John.

I was tending to some firewood chores today and was thinking:

Here we go again with the endless task of firewood.

This poem hangs by my door and freshens my spirt to get-R-done.

 

[CouesWhitetail]

Very nice GH! Thanks for posting it. I haven't ever read that poem before. I LOVE campfires, so this is a good one to remember.

[Coach]

Very nice - my new favorite poem (as if I had one before now - lol). I've always thought there is something magical about a camp fire, the way it brings everyone together and provides a warm place to recoup and reflect. Nice to see it celebrated in such a thoughtful way. Thanks for sharing.

[GameHauler]

Wow Amanda you pinned it.

I added the name and author to the top of the post

If anyone wants to print it and take to camp with them.