Poem "To a Carmelite Postulant"

 I found this poem as I'm preparing my lessons for the upcoming school year.  🥰

To a Carmelite Postulant

Michael Earls, S. J.

Oh, the banks of May are fair, 

Charm of sound sight,
Breath of heaven fills the air, 

To the world’s delight.

Far more wondrous is a bower, 

Fairer than the May, 

Love-of-God it wears in flower, 

Blooming night and day.

Love-of-God within the heart

 Multicolored grows,
Now a lily’s counterpart, 

Now the blood-red rose.

Come the sun or chilling rain, 

Come the drought or dew, 

Crocus health or violet pain, 

Love-of-God is true.

Hard may be the mountain-side, 

Soft the valley sod,
Yet will fragrance sure abide 

With the Love-of-God.

Where the grace of Heaven leads, 

There it makes a home,
Hills a hundred and the meads 

Will its pathway roam.

Carmel by the western sea 

Holds your blessed bower: 

Love-of-God eternally 

Keep your heart a-flower.