What Christ Said

I said, "Let me walk in the fields."
He said, "No; walk in the town."
I said, "There are no flowers there."
He said, "No flowers, but a crown."
----

I said, "But the skies are black,
There is nothing but noise and din."
And he wept as he sent me back;
"There is more," he said, "there is sin."
----

I said, "But the air is thick,
and fogs are veiling the sun."
He answered, "Yet souls are sick,
And souls in the dark undone."
----

I said, "I shall miss the light,
And friends will miss me, they say."
He answered, "Choose tonight
If I am to miss you, or they."
----

I pleaded for more time to be given.
He said, "Is it hard to decide?"
It will not seem hard in Heaven
To have followed the steps of your Guide."
----

I cast one look at the fields,
Then set my face to the town.
He said, "My child, do you yield?
Will you leave the flowers for the crown?"
----

Then into his hand went mine;
And into my heart came He;
And I walk in a light divine,
The path I had feared to see.