Poetz.com: Poetry Changes People

WHILE I AM HERE

While I am here and live in a system that is based on principles of usury that

Moses, Plato and Ghandi deemed unwise

In a society that says my sexuality is defined by frequency of indulgence rather than

Temperance and control

That salvation is a matter of buy and sell rather than

Grace and mercy

That my Judge is punitive rather than a conqueror of injustice

That my religion is bondage, slavery and fear

Not broken shackles, redeemed years, and deliverance from corruption into the very

Return to origin that was lost.

That death on a cross is defeat, foolishness, and unnecessary waste.

Something happened there beyond scourging, limited atonement, and plenary legalities.

For there Love was wounded, brokenhearted, killed, interred and raised again to live.

And now I have been wounded, Life lives in this open wound of Love.

His pain communicated to my life that I might

Feel, and see, and love; not less, but completely

GARDENER

In that garden love was killed
Not merely fall, but tearing from loves side
all was at stake, the object of love not solely tempted to some random act
rather choice used to break trust and heart and communion with love
was shattered there, all light diminished
Loves choice would refuse to let hope die there, so early in the romance
the gauntlet cast, the gauntlet begun
Love began the dance again
covenant, deliverer, lawgiver, tent, seer, prophet, king, temple, priest, pause.....
Messiah
Beloved
Reunion
Tree of Life in the restored garden
Leaves for the healing of the nations
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with humans
He will dwell with them
They shall be his people
God himself shall be with them and be their God.

David is Harry Chapin's brother, kindly assenting to his first online publication.