Serenity

Fotografia Olho de Gato

The storms that break and sweep about my feet,

The winds that blow and tear, the rains that fall,

Shall not the courage of my soul appall;

I shall be conqueror, tho’ sore defeat

O’erwhelm the outbound keels of all my fleet

Of dreams; tho’ not one tattered sail, but all

Go down mid sea; with heart serene, I’ll greet

The worst or best, the stronger for the squall.

My soul is set amid the storms of life,—

The hurricanes of passion crash and break

And tides of heathen hate sweep o’er our land;

But calm amid the flying ruins of strife,

Or in the leaping flames around the stake

With pierced hands—my faith serene,—I stand!

Charles Bertram Johnson