FAILURE

FAILURE
Theodosia Garrison
Oh, long and dark the stairs I trod
With stumbling feet to find my God.

Gaining a foothold bit by bit,
Then slipping back and losing it;

Never progressing, but striving still
With weakening grasp and fainting will;

Bleeding to climb to God, while He
Serenely smiled, un-noting me.

Then came a certain time when I
Loosened my hold and fell thereby.

Down to the lowest step my fall
As though I had not climbed at all.

And while I lay despairing there,
Listen, --  a footfall on the stair!

In the same path where I, dismayed,
Faltered and fell and lay afraid!

And, lo! When hope had ceased to be,
My God came down the stairs to me.