GOD AND SIR WILFRED GRENFELL

 

            The famous savior of an obscure people,

            preacher, doctor, public leader, made

            a Savior in his image, to whose trade

            as Blessed Carpenter he raised his steeple.

 

            So, the playing fields of England beat

            from  somewhat unsuccessful youth, complete

            and self-made fin-de-siecle Superman,

            adventurer in quest of roomy land

            to hold his grand ambitions, New Found Land.

 

            He gave to it a hospital and schools,

            an orphanage, a co-op to displace

            the Company’s oppression, built a base

            of volunteers from around the world. No tool

            of a Victorian God could turn his hand

            to more, his match to this hard place unique.

 

            Always to him the sinful were the silly –

            shiftless slackers fuelled by flower power.

            He preached a God who in his famous hour

            made doors and windows fit without a squeak.

            Not for him the Lord who considered lilies.