The High Calling has posted a call for Christmas Verse. I've written and re-written and re-re-written this poem, so I hope it works. Just today I chopped off the opening third of the poem, and I think it's more powerful as a result. Let me know what you think....
By the way, I'll be reading my poem "abiding" this Sunday at Lake Murray Community Church as part of the church-wide Christmas program. Wish me luck...and a clear, unhurried reading voice.
rocking history
I want the earth to halt--
to stop its dizzying rotation,
just for the essential moment
so that I can truly see,
can wholly grasp
the magnitude of this Gift we celebrate:
a squalling infant laid
into a rude feeding trough
by a young woman
(a girl really)
pale with her pain and exhaustion,
amongst sheep and cattle whose
stench rises warm and wet
into star-strewn night.
this moment seems a simple tableau,
a most common event,
as she rocks history into the world.
then the earth may regain its motion
as long as this image remains:
salvation searing slow and soul-deep.
Copyright 2010 by Susanne Barrett
So this simple image, almost a cliche, rocked the world. It's so world-rocking...so world-rocking.
Living in a God-rocked world with you,
10 comments:
This...
"then the earth may regain its motion"
says it.
Loved it. Stopping by from Hip Homeschool Hop!
this is moving, love the image.
I want the earth to halt as well--and you put words to it. Wonderful image and meaning.
Thank you all so much for your kind comments and encouragement! :)
Good job, Susanne-- good drive for original and fresh imagery! xxj
..as she rocks history into the world...i like!!
beautiful poem - and sometimes, even when the earth would stop to rotate, i stand in awe and wonder if i ever get it fully what happened that night..
Welcome Susanne! What a beautiful poem. So elegantly written, this historical moment in time. Thank you for stopping by and do come again!
Beautiful poem celebrating the Incarnation, Suzanne. This is my first visit to your blog. I hope to read more. And good luck with your reading.
My One Shot is here: http://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/on-reading-a-poem-for-poetry-potluck-and-monday-morning-writing-prompt/
Susan it is an honor to meet you and have you post your poem preparing for a significant moment in history. I love how you fill our thoughts with stench and a common occurence - but for the fact Emmanuel had come to earth
Best with the reading - please feel welcome to One Shot anytime
Hugs from Moondustwriter
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