Lent Week 6: Under Zion's Palms

Under Zion's Palms

(Lent Week Six)

Week's first day

Streets thronging, full—

He waited outside 

The city gate

For the foal,

The donkey's colt,

To ride upon

Under Zion's palms

Snorting and shy

Came the beast,

A cloak upon

His unbroken back—

The Master mounted,

The people-sea parted,

A way prepared

Under Zion's palms

'Hosannas' rose up,

Palms waved high,

Garments spread down,

And men cried,

'Save us now!'

Blessing the King

Coming from God

Under Zion's palms

Angry Pharisees spat,

'Silence these men'

But He replied,

'The very stones

Would sing out

A mighty chorus

Were they silent

Under these palms'

Cresting a ledge,

He looked out

Over belovéd Zion—

There He wept

A bitter brine

Over a people

Blind in heart

Under those palms

In mere days

The very men

Who cried 'Hosanna!'

Would shout 'Crucify!'

He would die,

No cloak upon

His broken back,

Outside Zion's palms.

Lent Week 4: Waiting to Rejoice

Laetare: O Rejoice!

(Lent week four)

Here I am—

Waiting for God,

Not quite ready

For rejoicing yet;

The shadows flicker,

Darkening my soul,

Still waiting for

The rising sun

This dark night

—Not wholly black—

Sprinkled with stars

Streaming on me

Slight grey light,

Promises coming Hope,

As I wait

Here for God

I am awaiting

With great expectation

The rising Son

—Myth made real—

The glimmering sky

Bursting fully alive

With glory's Hope...

...But not yet

As I wait

Sin's darkness lingers;

Its clammy fingers

Poking my soul

Make me squirm,

Reminding me that

Redemption is now...

...And not yet

I hold back,

Waiting for God

To take centre-stage

In the drama

Unfolding, riveting me

To wait here

In shadow, before

The Son rises...

Lent Week 3: Seeing Eyes

Oculi: Round Opening, Eyes

(Lent Week Three)

Sin's darkness blinds--

Pit of despair

That sucks down

The heart, mind,

My very self,

Until I become

A shadow self

Under sin's grind

Something pulls me

To look up

From this hole--

Blind eyes see!

Climbing the darkness

Toward grey light,

Clawing upward, longing

To be free

Gasping, I spill

From the mouth

Of the abyss

My spine athrill--

My wavering self

A flickering shadow,

In and out,

And almost nil

There, before me

A mighty Lion

Blazes burnished gold--

Blind eyes see!

In His face

Love is bold,

By His wounds

I am free

His amber eyes

Burn the fire

Of bright sadness--

Sorrow His prize,

Pain His reward,

His life blood

Given in gladness,

Wounds to cauterise 

Lion of light

Illumines my eyes,

Enfleshes my shadow-self,

Scatters sin's night--

The Lamb slain,

Rising to life,

Is the Lion

Showing His might

Eyes open wide

At this mystery

Proclaimed long ago

And now descried--

In the once

And future King--

Lion-Lamb, Who

Calls me bride.

Lent Week 2: Remember

Reminiscere: Remember

(Lent week two)

Do you recall

Our wedding day?

Face to face,

Clasping hands tightly,

Your veil removed—

You were mine,

I AM yours

Why are you

At this corner,

Selling your worth,

Eyes looking down?

Why are you

Naked and bloody,

Abandoned and forlorn?

You are Mine

Don't you remember

That I AM

Your Maker-Husband

Who loves you?

O! Let Me

Take your face

In both hands

Eyes meeting Mine

Call to mind

Only My love,

Though you've run

Far from Me—

Do not flinch

Or turn away;

Willingly I forgive,

I AM yours

Belovéd, called one,

My beautiful bride,

Leave your sin,

Be made clean

In My blood;

Remember that you

Are forever Mine—

I AM yours.