Fireflies

Tonight connects this night to Calvary.
The sun went out some hours ago. It's cold.
These forests chant and cry in memory.
My wings are weary—faded, growing old.
A sanctuary waits, or so the story's told.
It's built of songs and wood, by Him, today.
Today two thousand years ago. Unfold
the story. I forgot, in years away.
I came "home" once. I couldn't stay?
I coast on sparks that rise from one more fire.
The disciples' camp that guards them as they pray.
My prayer makes noise, my body rises higher.
With words still empty, say a blank "amen."
I never thought I'd have to fly again.

I feel Your arms around me as I'm healed.
But You can't comfort fragile fireflies so.
I would be crushed, not covenanted, sealed.
Look down and blood from Your hands, falling slow,
are campfire sparks on scattered stones that glow.
The wind ignites my light anew, and scales
like falling broken dreams catch drafts below.
I can see other fireflies as the starlight pales.
Tonight, a night of jeers and blows and nails,
Tonight, a night of love majestic. Love
that blows out through the stars, long sails
and ships that enfold in His arms above.
But I still look to other fireflies, lean
on currents, this, the darkest ever seen.

You are the firefly dream that comforts now.
You are the campfire sparks that light and die.
You are the wind that blows a whispered vow.
You are the words that make my spirit fly.
Your child's hand won't ever let me cry.
It slips in mine as instead, as one, we sing.
Your silent forest lightning flashes high,
and we remember all Your suffering...
and all our own...tonight, remembering.
The dark and cold exist along our fears,
and time and space can fuse, together bring
an ancient story, building through the years.
And You are joy, and You are life. This night
we fly, and weep, and pray You'd shine Your light.

--April 2009

This is last year's Good Friday poem, and it is my favorite out of any that I have written. We are one: past and future, all races, all religions, all human beings. Connected by the spirit, grace, and love of God our Father.

Peace be with you all.