ramblings

1.

Fires Catching (Matthew 5.14)

As gushing streams into a salty body go,

as words like fires catching all the bracken flame,

lamps set on upper niches cast a glow,

illuminating cobwebs hung to dry.

As ready, raining sunmotes shine their steady aim

so we are tea lights placed among the night;

“so, let this flare shine out into the brightest dark --

it is a flaming joy that will ignite,

and scream out ‘Glory!’ for the father-flame.”

A streaming lamp once covered will not reach it’s mark

but set upon a table, high and dry

gives light to all the people baking bread and pies,

warms tired, crooked hands and lights the eyes.

Lift off the baskets hiding this small flame and that;

the glory is so precious to a night so bright.

2.

Beatitude the Third

Scatter seeds upon the fertile ground, mustard, rice, pine tree and corn.

The battles that we fight are not all won by those in power; scattered

bombs will not forever root up thick black soil and softer flesh of men.

Scatter, then, your thistles, vegetables, your children, lilies of the field;

the meek will plow the ground, the meek will harvest what was sown

the meek will take the earth, inherit what was planted to destroy and,

like the sparrows falling not forgotten, will, with thanks and ruddy rakes,

harvest ten and twenty times, even ninety-nine, what they have sown.

Harvest the grapes, rustle joyfully the olive trees for rains of olive oil.

Scrape up the hard, dry soil, lift up your face to sounds of rain;

your sure redemption draws yet closer with the clouds and will pour

out a blessing. “Blessed are the meek on earth. They will inherit much.

They will not stand on stumps to plow, they will not all be maimed

in harvest, seeking for the grain they need.” The trees will grow

upon a mountain, purified from soil rape, and all their children

will grow strong on valley springs untainted by the stain of death.

Live, then! The time is coming and has come when earth will shout aloud.

No more held back in creature groanings, trees will leap; whole mountains

may go bounding to the sea; rocks, too, will sing; a donkey’s voice

may be heard giving truths to those who go to war, while soldiers lose

their weapons for a plow. The strong and hardy in the land are soon to come

into their own. The meek will stand to gain the earth; their nimble hands

and bless-ed hearts will no more beat and murder starving people,

but with joy will go forth singing, carrying the sheaves from off good land.