Foot Falls by john clare

Often in my journey through i recall the foot falls
the gentle, soft steps in the night,
Soothing the frightened calls in lightening squalls
Putting to flight my youthful fright.

In the deep swamps of a hammock by the Gulf,
lost and calling for father to rescue me,
The familiar foot falls through palmetto's rough
as safe we compassed back to old Camp C.

On the long marathon course there came a wall
I came to a crawl, the legs screaming quit
Then from behind the familiar foot falls,
My old runner friend to pace me through the final splits.

In the grand sanctuary upon my knees
Crying out in my agony of sin,
Came the hushed foot fall to pray beside me
We rose and to a new walk began.

When you pass through along this journey
What sounds do your foot falls bring?
Do they ring with grace and mercy
Give the heart a song to sing?

Pause and listen above the din
For the foot fall that ever trods
Walking ever on to never's end
Ever calling the shoeless to shod.