Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Terrible...& Beautiful

A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Day

The following post is for Wednesday, February 21st.
I'll be off-line for one week
and will resume posting daily Lenten poems, March 1.


The following poem was written several years ago at Beth Israel Worship Center.
Marty Goetz was singing, "The Love of God."
The lights were low in the sanctuary.
The congregants were worshipful
as he sang the words, "...See on that Tree, the Love of God."
At that moment, I was inspired to write the following poem.
It was written on a scrap of paper, in the dark.

Image credit: soundfaith.com

BEAUTIFUL

It’s not a pretty sight -
It’s beautiful.
            Crimson streaming
            From His crown
                        Hands,
                                    Side,
                                                Feet,
            Onto my head,
                        Flowing down my face,
                                    Over my body,
                                                Covering my feet,
                                                            Making me whiter than snow.

It’s not a pretty sight -
It’s beautiful.
            It’s agony.
            He calls for His Father,
            Writhes, gasps, thirsts.

                        Oh, the weighty burden
                        Of sin upon the Sinless One,
                                    The world’s,
                                                Mine,
                                                            Yours.

            Agony,
            Ushering the covenant of salvation -
                        The world’s,
                                    Mine,
                                                Yours.

It’s not a pretty sight -
It’s beautiful.
            It is finished.
            They take Him down
                        From the good and terrible Cross.
            Hastily,
                        They place Him in the tomb.
            Securely,
                        They seal the rolling stone.
                        They guard His grave
                                    In awesome,
                                                Tremulous,
                                                            Expectant
                                                                        Stillness.

It’s not a pretty sight -
It’s beautiful.
            His Body, gone.
                        Gone!  With power
                        In one resplendent moment -
                        Seal unsealed,
                                    Stone rolled,
                                                Earth jolted on its axis.

                        Angels appear, hallowing -
                                    Alleluia!  Alleluia!
                                                He is risen!

                                                            We live
                                                            Because He lives.

                                                                                    Oh! He is beautiful.
                                                                                    Beautiful.

Maude Carolan

3 comments:

  1. Some really interesting details you have written.Assisted me a lot, just what
    I was looking for :D.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So lovely, this song of Jesus' finished work, Maude-- I can really SEE it! Your writing is an incredible blessing. Thank you!

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  3. Thank you for commenting, Kathy. I'm glad you enjoyed this poem. It's an oldie. I'm looking forward to seeing your art, photography and poetry in the show next weekend.

    ReplyDelete