Thought for the Week: Why am I a Quaker?
'Why am I a Quaker?' by R V Bailey
Is it because of all those abstract nouns –
Integrity, Simplicity, et cetera? I’ve never
Been keen on abstract nouns myself, but
Weary of all those quarrels in re God
I come home to them now. I reckon God’s
Is the hand on the shoulder that means
It’s OK, I’m right behind you; or the voice
In the ear, whispering This is the way;
Walk in it. Sometimes it’s in the pit
Of the stomach (in rather tight-lipped tones),
Just DO it.
Or else the conversation’s philosophical: There’s
More than this life. If there hadn’t been
(Of course, you fool) I’d have TOLD you. Greedy,
Cowardly, idle: I haven’t what you’d call
A very convincing moral CV. These voices
(when I’m listening) help. And what helps too
Are other people (God in them, perhaps);
Brave hearts in dowdy clothes – Fox, and Fry,
And Naylor. And some you meet in the Co-op, or
The street. Or even on Sundays at Meeting. They hear
Voices, too.
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