When God turned back eternity and was young, <br />Ancient of Days, grown little for your mirth <br />(As under the low arch the land is bright) <br />Peered through you, gate of heaven--and saw the earth. <br /> <br />Or shutting out his shining skies awhile <br />Built you about him for a house of gold <br />To see in pictured walls his storied world <br />Return upon him as a tale is told. <br /> <br />Or found his mirror there; the only glass <br />That would not break with that unbearable light <br />Till in a corner of the high dark house <br />God looked on God, as ghosts meet in the night. <br /> <br />Star of his morning; that unfallen star <br />In that strange starry overturn of space <br />When earth and sky changed places for an hour <br />And heaven looked upwards in a human face. <br /> <br />Or young on your strong knees and lifted up <br />Wisdom cried out, whose voice is in the street, <br />And more than twilight of twiformed cherubim <br />Made of his throne indeed a mercy-seat. <br /> <br />Or risen from play at your pale raiment's hem <br />God, grown adventurous from all time's repose, <br />Or your tall body climbed the ivory tower <br />And kissed upon your mouth the mystic rose.<br /><br />Gilbert Keith Chesterton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-little-litany-2/
