"A Handful of Stars"

[home_and_away]

Give me, O Night, a blessing
Of peace, and a handful of stars--
Give me , O Dawn, a begining,
New life, and a healing of scars;
Give me, O Day, a freshening
Of spirit, and warmth in the sun--
Give me, O Earth, of thy bounty,
Strength for the task I've begun.

Leave me, O Night, of your stillness
A calm for my inward soul--
Leave me a breath of your darkness
To cool me, and keep me whole;
Leave me the wind in the willows
The roll of the surf and the sea--
Leave me, Beloved, my memories
Of dreams you have given to me.

--Louis L'Amour, from
Smoke From This Altar