Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Daily Prayer & Reflections

Arbor Vitae

Beside the golden gate there grows a tree

Whose heavy fruit gives entrance to the ways

Of Wonder, and the leaves thereof are days

Of desolation -- nights of agony

The buds and blossom for the fruits to be:

Rooted in terror the dead trunk decays,

The burdened branches drooping to the clays

Clammy with blood of crushed humanity.

But lo the fruit! Sweet-bitter, red and white,

Better than wine -- better than timely death

When surfeited with sorrow -- Lo the bright

Mansions beyond the gate! And Love, thy breath

Fanning our flaming hearts where entereth

Thy Song of Songs with Love's tumultuous light.