3.23.2016

Easter: Sonnet 3

I've planted seeds of wrath and sin, but He
Lies dead inside a tomb, for days encased
Within a shell that should imprison me,
But justifying payment is embraced.

The third sun rises on His winter's wait,
And in the smiling light, the seed explodes.
Though stagnant once, the life-blood circulates,
And living, free as blood, forgiveness flows.

His heart bursts into blossom and it beats
With laughter and with songs of victory.
Like springtime rain, His blood has drenched the seat
Of mercy. Jesus sings sufficiency.
For me this priest will ever intercede.
Unfurled here at this tomb is life indeed.

3.22.2016

At the Foot of Christ's Passion: Sonnet 2

Like a gutted ox is hung to dry, skin splayed,
Wrath wracked and stretched Your arms out on that tree.
And as eternal terrors on You weighed,
You writhed, “My God, why've You forsaken Me?”

In the wasteland of my sin, I watch You thirst.
My conscience, like Your body, has been scraped raw.
And You, though searching frantic, find You're cursed,
The door of heaven shut by holy law.

Like an apple tree that's naked bleeds for spring,
Perhaps Your hands curled upward as You died.
Beneath this bloody tree I want to fling
Myself and lie with my mouth open wide

As blood like wine flows clean and pure and sweet,
A river bursting from Your twisted feet.

 Image result for rembrandt ox painting   
(Rembrandt, "The Slaughtered Ox")

3.21.2016

In the Wake of Christ's Passion: Sonnet 1

He sweeps in holy like a hurricane.
A hammer thunders fiercely from the sky.
He wholly burns in gorgeous, reckless rain
Of grace. Who knew it hurt so much to die?

Did You know in Your passion as He poured
You out like endless water, melted wax?
If I am rendered senseless by guilt's sword,
Were You whom He made sin, split by His ax?

My lonely silver Tree bends passively
To sufferings. The foolishness of God!
With veins of gossamer, invincibly,
I'm held, and wine runs from the press He trod.

I'm killed, I live, I wither, loved by You.
Behold what You have done and to me do.