A SPARROW IN CHURCH

By Norah Mary Holland

Thou, Who hast said no sparrow e'er shall fall

Without Thy knowledge, lend me now Thine aid.

I cry to Thee, O mighty Lord of all,

Thy little living creature, sore afraid.

All my short life these fluttering wings have known

Only the freedom of Thy sun and rain,

And now they beat against these walls of stone —

Lord of the sparrows, shall they beat in vain?

The terrors of Thine House encompass me,

Upon Thine altar I myself have laid;

Hearken, O Lord, Thy sparrow calls to Thee,

Thy little living creature, sore afraid.