The "Pretty Place"

I stand uplifted on the "PRETTY PLACE"
Where granite towers kiss the sweep of skies.
How surely God's hand, shaping earth and space,
Dropped here a corner small of Paradise.

From upland meadows soar cathedral spires,
And down rush fountains, healing thirsty lands.
The sun at vespers kindles altar fires.
Here truly God and I are touching hands.

From distant hamlets curl the smokes of man,
And friendly homeward roads wind through the glens.
Here wisps of clouds drift by in caravan,
And sweet wind-harps through pines sing soft Amens.

Oh God Creator, when You deem it wise
To free us from our foolish wiles and arts,
Pray tarry here among us. May Your eyes
Soon find Your "Pretty Place" within our hearts.

Hubert M. Turner
Mebane, N.C.
June 1957