A Gift of Heart, Carolyn Hendry, Des Moines 1986

 

A Gift of Heart

Carolyn EW Hendry

Des Moines, IA USA   1986

 

I offer hands that work and write.

I offer arms that hold you tight.

I offer eyes that love the small.

A gift of heart, I offer all.

        I offer meals that feed the poor; 

        I offer songs to cheer them more. 

        I offer tears that mourn with all.

        A gift of heart, I offer all.

I offer hand that hoe and till.

I offered, too, a carpenter’s skill, 

I offer hands that harvest fall—

A gift of heart, I offer all.

        I offer a voice to light the dawn,

        I offer movement, lithe and long. 

        I offer, hands that sculpt and draw;

        A gift of heart, I offer all.

I offered time to hear a friend; 

I offer care to help hurts mend. 

I offer love to ease the fall.

A gift of heart, I offer all.

        I offer prayers that played for mine— 

        I offer litanies divine.  

        I offer thanks for blessings full.

        A gift of heart, I offer all.

I offer strength to lean upon. 

I offer cheer to speed you on 

And confidence to help stand tall— 

A gift of heart, I offer all.

        I offer a heart who’s broken girth 

        Yearns for peace and healing truth. 

        I offer faith as such had Paul.

        A gift of heart, I offer all.

I offer wisdom learned from God: 

With me, come seek the iron rod. 

I offer lips to drink the gaul; 

A gift of heart, I offer all.

        I offer a soul that cries: “Send me!” 

        I offer truth—He died for thee. 

        My head bowed I accept the call: 

        I give my heart, I offer all.

I wrote this poem in response to a theme my mom (Nancy Kathleen Burton Wagstaff)  and her counselors picked for a Stake Women's Conference:  "Gift of Heart"

It took me a few days.  When I was done, I gave it to mom and she used it--at least part of it--during the Conference.