Sunday, December 24, 2017

The Saga of Atonement

[Long ago I read the Kalevala, the mythological epic of Finland and found its special meter (trochic tetrameter) to be one of the most compelling things about it. I wanted to write poetry of some kind for Christmas, and basically this is what happened. The rhythm is very suited for long poems, and I may very well gradually expand it in the future to tell the entire story of salvation. Either way, I hope you are blessed by my feeble attempts at wordsmithery. Merry Christmas!]






Long in silent darkness dwelling
Long the shadows on them lay
Those that name the Name of Israel
Waited for a coming day

Legions Roman hold their cities 
Legions Demon hold their souls
Priests of rules the rules abandon
Stealing tithes but washing bowls

Now a spark in shadow shining
Now a light begins to burn
Virgin she yet bears a firstborn
In their fields the shepherds learn

Angels sing in choirs angelic
Angels fallen shout in fear
Know they well the Son of David
Clothed in flesh now He is here

*

Eastern men of wisdom find Him
Eastern skies reveal a star
Furious a false king seeks Him
Safely fled to Nile afar

Nazareth receives Him homeward
Nazareth what good from there
By the lakeside woodcraft learning
Feels He all our mortal care

Now the fire begins a-blazing
Now Redeemer deems it time
Calling to Him sons of Israel
Breaking rules without a crime

From the desert flees the tempter
From the desert cries a voice
Kingdom coming heaven calling
Rich and poor must make a choice

*

Teachers of the law oppose Him
Teachers taught to listen well
Crowds are sated storms are silenced
Yeast and salt and fires of hell

Turns He fishers into preachers
Turns He to Jerusalem
Waving palms but palming silver
One betrays the rest of them

Now the flames grow somber softly
Now the sorrow swiftly nears 
Chases cheaters from His temple
Truth He rains on arid ears

Cup and bread and night is falling
Cup of wrath and torches glow
Whips that cut the Son of Heaven
Peter cut by rooster's crow

*

Borne by boards He bears our sorrow
Borne aloft for Adam's fall
Crying out the work is finished
Gives His life our all in all

Death in mortal fear beholds Him
Death a stranger in His land
From the grave a King is rising
Scars in foot and side and hand

Now a mighty conflagration 
Now His love the world ignites
Sends us forth to speak His gospel
Seven lamps and seven lights.

Dwelling now in heaven's glory
Dwelling places He prepares
Now we wait for His returning
God Almighty None Compares

1 comment:

  1. This is fantastic! I'd like to see more of your poetry. I think trochaic tetrameter is more fun to read than iambic pentameter.

    ReplyDelete