Mountains and Men

By Grace McKinstry

Mountains and mountains never meet,
but the sons of mothers do. – Ancient Spanish saying.

Oh, Norway is a distant land
And China lies afar;
Old India, vast Africa
Where strange hot deserts are;
And Norway’s mountains never come
To where our Rockies rise,
And Chinese hilltops do not know
Where hilly Scotland lies.

But you have talked with Norway’s sons
And Scotchmen speak to you,
“Mountains and mountains never meet
But the sons of mothers do”:
And One who lived in Palestine
Has taught men far apart
To meet with kindliness and faith,
With understanding heart.

(1931)