Classic Poem

Unscientific selfhood, often drawn
To dwell with mystical imaginings,
Zealous to walk the way of Henry Vaughan
Who glimpsed divinity in speechless things,
How fare you on that faithful pilgrimage,
Environed by an unbelieving age?

Ask the night sky for intimations of God.
Moves mercy there? Astronomy replies
With numbers of light-years each twinkle has trod.
Question the tropical jungle, through what guise
He manifests therein His ministrant law,
And how he justifies fang, swamp, and claw

Nature and knowledge daunt with dire denial
The inward witness and the innocent dream
On such rough road must faith endure its trial,
Upheld by resolution to redeem
The soul, that world within an ignorant shape
One with the solar system and the ape.