A Petrarchan Sonnet for the Prophets

On the eve of the second Sunday of Advent, I decided to share my Advent onnet again with you.

Week One

I like to be like more than I like to be liked. Discovering my theological bedfellows in the ancient and recent past gives me so much hope. When my inspiration matches someone from years ago and miles away; when people I never met but in their books are my brothers and sisters in Christ; I know that the Holy Spirit is alive and moving. How else could we be of one mind and heart across these impossible divides? We are on a big team of hope. Among others, my team includes those listed in the poem: Gerard Manley Hopkins, Isaiah son of Amoz, George MacDonald, Moses the Israelite, Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis, Miriam the Prophetess, Francis of Asissi, Menno Simmons, Amos of Tekoa, John the Revelator, Flannery O’Connor, and Julian of Norwich.

Prophets:  Old Friends for New Foes

Thanks be to you, women and men of old
Who find me when I find you there beneath
Your dusty, years-worn, paper jacket sheaths.
The words I read are slicing knives through cold
Of lies so lonely and benumbed, yet told
As if they’re true by thief after lying thief.
Come now again to take truth from their teeth,
Incise the false and spit back truth so bold,

Gerard, Isaiah, George, Moses and Clive,
O Miriam, Frank, Menno, Amos, John
Sing, Flannery and Julian, your songs
The Spirit is resounding through these years,
Your brave imaginations help me dive
Into the fray of love’s defeat of fear.

---

You can listen to me read it here https://on.soundcloud.com/6tKcn