Gethsemane

Gethsemane

Down shadowy lanes,

across strange streams

Bridged over by our broken dreams;

Behind the misty caps of years,

Beyond the great salt fount of tears,

The garden lies. Strive as you may,

You cannot miss it in your way.

All paths that have been, or shall be,

Pass somewhere through Gethsemane.

All those who journey, soon or late,

Must pass within the garden’s gate;

Must kneel alone in darkness there,

And battle with some fierce despair.

God pity those who cannot say,

‘Not mine but thine,’ who only pray,

‘Let this cup pass,’ and cannot see

The purpose in Gethsemane.

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox