On Psalm 23

By John Watts

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Where are you, Love, that I shall want no more?
‘Near You are,’ says my heaven-thirsting heart,
and only love shall be its happy store,
O only love shall be its proper part,
for He is leading you, my wanderer deep,
to pleasant streams aflow in softest hush;
I watch the quiet water’s courteous rush,
the angels cruise in vessels slow, asleep
to harp strings of another playing near,
a melody bliss-mated, scattering fear.

I lie in greenest growth of pasture’s joy,
each delicate grass blade glad space for song,
seat and safe love. Your love does never cloy,
my Only One. O, Love, how I do long,
like guitar strings need the genius strum,
like ocean waves that need to burst forth leaping,
like eyes that need succumb to healing weeping,
for You, my Portion Blessed! The day you come!
But lead me now to rivers, meadows, peace--
I’m burning for your love that cannot cease!

And though death’s grim rule reckons for this flesh,
I fear not scythe come sweeping, for you’re here,

by Sacred Grace in grace’s whole enmesh--
I’ve reason only for good righteous cheer,
You pour the oil upon my dreaming head!
I see the banquet ready of Your love,
the days are over for my lonesome rove,
You are my guide forever, One who bled!
O love! The love of Christ be for my treasure!
Beloved all my life you’ll be my pleasure.

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John S A Watts studied English Literature at Kingston University, and he lives in sunny West Sussex. He has had work published by Westward Quarterly, Sparks of Calliope, Down in the Dirt (scarstv), Word of Lamb Magazine, Spirit Fire Review, and is due to be published by the Journal of Undiscovered Poets.