I am your reed, sweet shepherd, glad to be.
Now, if you will, breathe out your joy in me
And make bright song.
Or fill me with the soft moan of your love
When your delight has failed to call or move
The flock from wrong.
Make children’s songs, or any songs to fill
Your reed with breath of life; but at your will
Lay down the flute,
And take repose, while music infinite
Is silence in your heart; and laid on it
Your reed is mute.
There is an emptiness like the hollow of a reed, the narrow riftless emptiness which can only have one destiny: to receive the piper’s breath and to utter the song that is in his heart..
She had nothing to give Him but herself. He asked for nothing else.
Our Lady said yes!
(Some musings of Caryll Houselander)
