In the Heart of the Woods
By Margaret E. Sangster
Such beautiful things in the heart of the
woods!
Flowers and ferns and the soft green
moss;
Such love of the birds in the solitudes,
Where the swift wings glance, and the
tree-tops toss;
Spaces of silence, swept with song,
Which nobody hears but the God
above;
Spaces where myriad creatures throng,
Sunning themselves in his guarding
love. Such safety and peace in the heart of
the woods,
Far from the city's dust and din,
Where passion nor hate of man intrudes,
Nor fashion nor folly has entered in.
Deeper than hunter's trail hath gone,
Glimmers the tarn where the wild deer
drink;
And fearless and free comes the gentle
fawn,
To peep at herself o'er the grassy
brink. Such pledge of love in the heart of the
woods!
For the Maker of all things keeps the
least,
And over the tiny floweret broods,
With care that for ages has never
ceased.
If he cares for this, will he not for
thee—
Thee, wherever thou art to-day?
Child of an infinite Father, see—
And safe in such gentlest keeping
stay.