Shapes of Clay

I saw a man who knelt in prayer,

And heard him say:

"I'll lay my inmost spirit bare

To-day.

"Lord, for to-morrow and its need

I do not pray;

Let me upon my neighbor feed

To-day.

"Let me my duty duly shirk

And run away

From any form or phase of work

To-day.

"From Thy commands exempted still

Let me obey

The promptings of my private will

To-day.

"Let me no word profane, no lie

Unthinking say

If anyone is standing by

To-day.

"My secret sins and vices grave

Let none betray;

The scoffer's jeers I do not crave

To-day.

"And if to-day my fortune all

Should ebb away,

Help me on other men's to fall

To-day.

"So, for to-morrow and its mite

I do not pray;

Just give me everything in sight

To-day."

I cried: "Amen!" He rose and ran

Like oil away.

I said: "I've seen an honest man

To-day."