a conversation with epiphany

“Jesus shows himself precisely present in those who are absent.” –Gustavo Gutierrez

Magi

We are;

King

I am not

Clinging

This Arabian Sea

Of bitter wind

Of torrid sand

Of jealous star

I ponder

This Eastward summons

Eclipsed

By the long shadow of history

Of suffering

Of toil

The rise and fall

Of civilizations all

Its brunt

Shouldered by those

Underneath.

Oh

This dusty

Sacred day

Poised between

Now and then!

Will You split human history

Between suffering

And bliss?

Will You burn war-weathered boots

And bloodstained clothes?

I tread this holy, earthen

Beckoning:

I believe!

And seek You

As You seek those

Who are

Absent.

And with each coursing

Of my blood

I grip Your radiance:

You

Stretch the dawn

Across Middle Eastern sky;

You

Descend like morning dew

And blanket our quivering;

You

Dress in human flesh

And to a weary world

You

Shout

Salvation

With faint

And feeble cry.

sjb

1/1/11

Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning will be fuel for the fire. For unto us a child is born… - Isaiah 9:5-6