The Stone and the Snake

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My Father bade me come, and said,     “Ask me for what you need. And spread Before me all your heart. Seek me     For ev’ry true desire, and see If I will ever fail to love     You perfectly with treasures of My boundless store, my heart. And keep     On knocking. Though I do not sleep, I have my reasons for delay,     And I delight to hear you pray.

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If you should need an anchor for your boat,     But, lured by hunger, ask for bread, I’ll mark your need, and lest you seaward float,     Give you a heavy stone instead.

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Or if you need to drain a viper’s fang,     A healing antidote to make, But ask for useless fish to ease the pang,     I will discern, and give the snake.

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O precious child, think not, because     I meet your needs with love by laws Beyond your grasp: It is in vain     For you to pray, as if the gain Of snake and stone were no reply     To your desire. Dear Child, your cry Does open treasuries, and shake     The heavens. I bid you come and take These keys, and all my store unlock,     My heart. To ask, and seek, and knock.”

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