HEAVEN ON EARTH

What beauty lies before us spread

When once we lift our eyes:

Just view the vastness of the skies:

And stately massing clouds,

The veils of drifting rain;

The rainbow o’er the heaving main

That shines thro’ rain-wet shrouds;

The splendour of the rising sun

In a flood of golden light,

Or the fiery pomp of evening

‘Fore the open gates of night.

O I have seen such wonders

From my little room on high

That all the jewels of India

Were not enough to buy:

And were they writ

Howe’er so fair

No living man

Would credence bear;

Nor thinker rapt

In deepest spell

Their mystery learn

Or secrets tell.

We need no gold or treasures rare

Such marvels to behold:

Just eyes to see and hearts to hold

The glories everywhere.

© Mike Thurstan Bassett July 2013