I've done it. One poem each month for the entire year. It was a modest goal, but touch and go there at times nevertheless. Sorry, the December poem is not full of Christmas cheer, but something that came to me almost whole on my way home from work last night.
Mark 5:3
He lives among the tombs
and no man can bind him.
He cuts himself with rocks,
throws himself into fire,
and wanders abroad
in the rain and snow.
You’ve seen him
on your street,
waving his hands
and answering back
to the legions
in his head--
the bitter regrets,
the posionous memories,
the repeating accusations.
Someone may have loved him
once, but no longer.
He lives among the tombs
and no man can free him.
Jesus, come.
13 comments:
...and he did and still does.
Yes! So I suppose maybe this is a Christmas poem after all. Jesus took on flesh in order to save a people who "lived among the tombs." And still he comes, and still he saves.
sounds like an advent/christmas poem. I mean, you did end with 'Jesus come'
I really like this.
Isn't this, in many ways, all of us?
Yes, that's my sense. We all in some sense were born "among the tombs" and no one can bind us (or free us) except Jesus. All of us are similarly haunted and in need of Jesus. Yes, it is absolutely an advent/Christmas poem, I see that now. Just no toy-making elves or warm glow from the stables!
Hello, Bob. I'm dropping by to say hello per your Facebook suggestion. Hello. I like the poem. It's the kind of thing that deserves more than one reading. I think I'll come back a number of times and read it again.
Steve, nice of you, thanks.
in a way, it is refreshing to have someone point out our reality. we are as homeless and lost as the most beautiful angel that fell from grace. we are lost without Christ Jesus. the feel of december's life in limbo is an appropriate time to see it.
seeing people on the street in the cold, seeing people that are hungry, is more evident in december than in july. we can feel the cold as well, as we can see the stark black branches.
we can see where we can share His Love, in and beyond what we have gathered around ourself.
there is plenty of Love for everyone, so we can give it freely.
Wonderful thoughts, Nance. You have a way of seeing through the poem to something deeper and broader than the words have expressed . . . and I mean that in a good way! :)
You bring reality to this month when many are blind to the pain around us and then some are only aware of the pain at this time because of all the Secret Santas, Salvatiion Army, etc.
May we see that man every month and realize as Nance says that we are all lost without Christ. May that man keep us focused on walking and living as Christ wants us to and that means not turning a blind eye to those from 'the tombs'.
For me, it's the kids who reek of wood smoke and no baths or deorderant--those who profess to hate Christmas--the tough ones who don't want you to see the hurt lurking in their eyes(that's the reality that keeps me focused--I'm a high school teacher in a poor rural area of Appalachia).
I really liked this--was 'sent' here by Nance--she's good at opening my world up-- am glad I followed her here.
Good word, B. Meandering. I honor anyone with the guts to teach high school anywhere. Thanks for stopping by.
My husband loves your blog and shared this poem with me last month (crying as he read it...and he rarely cried)...
I, too, teach high school and am sharing your words with my 10th grade English class this week....
Powerful.
thanks,
jess
Jessica, your words a good news to my ears. I am so blessed that, one, people are moved by my words, and two, that you are using them in the classroom. That just rocks my world! I'm so thankful for that. If you feel so inclined, please write back and tell us how the poem was received by your students. Thanks so much and thanks to your husband as well!
and again. good.
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