“If anything is to shock our souls, 

let it be Hope.”

— Bryan Wandel
 

Unless I Die...

Unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. 

But, if it dies, it will bear much fruit. 

—Jesus

A darkening sky greets the great eye

blinking open its shutter to morn—

o'erhead, coarse comes a rook's cry,

from here dreams appear bleak and forlorn

Here, in my cramped, close cell I hear

the neighbour dog howl a lament—

the dirt and the dark I fear,

they close in and my choice I repent

Buried, buried unseen and deep,

with the dog next door I mourn—

my eyes, dreamless now, can only weep,

trapped in the earth like a kernel of corn

How long must I suffocate,

freedom denied, in this dank tomb?

Life with death I conflate,

Later to find my prison mould a womb

The waiting feels empty and long,

but the Gardener waters the earth

about me, and o'er me raises His song,

stirring my spirit, breathing rebirth 

The confines feeling so like death

are the only means of shedding the husk

of flesh strangling my dreams, my breath,

clouding my eyes by dusk

White rhizome rises, unfurling green,

fresh air floods my chamber, tight,

in my heart awakens a dream

after my soul's dark night.

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...