Bohemia Village Voice

[From ‘Bohemian Bagatelle‘, published 1979 by the Bohemians]

CONTEMPLATION

If I should die before this day is done,

Before once more, the rising of the sun,

If I should sleep, and from this life depart,

Is everything at peace within my heart?

Would I, on going from here, leave behind

One person with some malice in his mind,

One person who, in some way, I have grieved,

With whom I should make peace before I leave?

Is there a duty I have left undone –

A task neglected when the race I’ve run,

Something I should have done for God or man,

Important in the working of His plan?

Oh, Lord, forgive me when I come to You –

Remember, please, what good I’ve tried to do,

The way I’ve struggled oft to do Thy will,

And tried so hard Thy purpose to fulfil.

I ask Thy pardon for the things undone,

I ask it in the name of Thy dear Son,

And in Thy Kingdom seek the lowest place,

So long as I can claim Thy gift of Grace.

Elizabeth Preston