The Anvil

Last eve I paused before a blacksmith’s door

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime

And looking in I saw old hammers on the floor

Worn by the beating years of time

“How many anvils have you Sir” said I

“To wear and batter these hammers so?”

“Just one” said he,

Then with a twinkle in his eyes

“The anvil wears the hammers out you know”

And so I thought the Anvil of God’s Word

For ages sceptic blows have beat upon

Yet through the noise of falling blows was heard

The Anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone…

John Clifford