Songs & Sonnets

1

Why, when words-- thought divine imbued-- project
from lips intent to turn a sinner's heart,
mirrored shards straight fly to shine and reflect
not you, but me-- blemish the work you start?(1)

So easily disfigured in the head
and quickly perverted become your plans--
A force to cut and burn, divorce and wed--(2)
an edge of knife you leave to child's hands,

yet still this daggered gift you give to all.(3)
Will mercy let my words be short and few,
or cut(4) the mouth to save a brother's fall?(5)
Else, I turn my heart to beast before you(6)--

tongued; wherefore if my heart condemns me thus,(7)
there dwells a greater word with sharper thrust.(8)

1. romans 1: 30
2. psalm 39
3. rev 19: 21
4. mark 9: 43
5. romans 14: 21
6. psalm 73: 22
7. 1 john 3: 20
8. philippians 1: 6

2

As travelers, we three were led through night,(1)
from field and fountain, morr and mountain far,(2)
to winter north betrothed in wind and light;(3)
now four days gone by southward steady car.

Of what we saw? A people's living death:
to weep and pray, to hear from word above
filled us with song and Son of God's full breath--
the rise and fall of limbs of one in love--(4)

Arriving home we three with broken heart,
tired beaten from heavy journey far,
heard that birth and death in mother's art
of words, "how beautiful, my children are!"

The glow! With overflow of peace we grinned;(5)
a distant star had breathed on us with wind.(6)

1. “journey of the magi” of t.s. eliot
2. “we three kings” carol
3. hosea 2: 20
4. OIL – a retreat i attended with my young brother and sister
5. john 20: 19
6. acts 2