Monday, March 30, 2015

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.



Wednesday, March 18, 2015

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...




Monday, March 9, 2015

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.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

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.