THE WORKER
O VANISHED worker whom the frosts avenge, Breaking the stones you broke, you surely knew One moment in the morning when Stonehenge Was greater than the God you built it to, And O, Egyptian, though the ruthless ones Gave you the bitter cup that Samson drinks At Gaza, yet they gave you also sons And one stern daughter: pyramids and Sphinx, [LITTLE men have and losing skill’s the loss Of which poor working men are most afraid--Even while nailing Jesus to the Cross Good carpenters are careful of their trade, For work means peace. Some working God takes cafe Nightly of all his children-all are blessed. (Though the dear breathing presence is not there, Warm in the darkness, yet you have your rest), EN are unhappy when they long for God, Lost and unhappy with their human loves, Lost when they tread where saints and heroes trod; But building, building temples, boatsS Ah doves Flashed for the shipwrights first. They built the Ark, They shaped it, saw it graceful, saw it strong. They lay down in the Deluge in the dark
And slept like tired children all night long:
S.P.
L.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19480402.2.41
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 458, 2 April 1948, Page 19
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193THE WORKER New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 458, 2 April 1948, Page 19
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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