‘May He support us all the day long, till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.’

– John Henry Cardinal Newman 

Even to unbelievers, this prayer, or poem if you prefer, has a mollifying beat and effect. We aren’t alone. Support is at hand. For believers, from God. For unbelievers, from other people, one’s inner resources, the bounty of the universe. We’ve work to do. Lots of it. But an end will come and our work will be done, and the busy world, at least for us, will be hushed, the ‘fever of life’ over. May we tread this day confident of a safe lodging, rest, serenity and peace in our hearts this day.