Wednesday, September 8, 2010

1 Timothy 1:15-16

The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, 
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--
of whom I am the foremost.
But for that very reason I received mercy, 
so that in me, as the foremost, 
Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, 
making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.
              (NRSV)

Falling into Sight

The best way to fall is know it,
feel the scrape of crusted loyalties give way 
that only pose as love
conjured by the seven deadly crafts*
in whose camps 
fires waft their smoke into the dawn,
blinding the world a little more with each campaign
beneath their fluttering rags.

One day in such a field,
by some gnawing instigation,
when I took the visors off,
stumbling back before the carnage of our handiwork,
and I refused their smiling ministrations, 
they hurled me from their ranks like some severed dragon's head.

I sank to the ground,
gazed blind into the skies
whence a shadow lighted on my face
and Jesus ran his thumb across my eyes.

*The seven deadly sins: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, gluttony.

© 2010 Andy Gay