Saturday, February 23, 2013

40 images of Lent - Days 1-10


Day 1

In a room scented by the smell of sawn timber, a man hears a voice in his inner ear calling him

it is time - 
your time, and mine

enough of the mending and making and shaping of wood

time to put aside the tools

the sharp nails...
can wait



2

While the village still slept, he set his face to the low morning light and followed this beautiful voice

calling him
leading him
drawing him

into wilderness



Day 3

He did not look back to the comfort of home, but walked on...

Into the desert - the place of suffering and desolation, where each rock hid its own danger
every stone could strike at the heel

he walked onwards
alone.



4
As he walked he left something of himself behind

the skin of civilisation was being burnt away by the hot sun

driven away by the wild animals

but in the rhythm of every step was the music of this voice - singing to his soul

it's your time... and mine.



5

After a time, the desert seemed so big, and he - so small

a panic rose in him
it clutched him like a hand at his throat

Who am I?
What am I?
What terrible road lies before me?
Father, my body is weak
I am a drop of water
On a rock
Under the hot desert sun
Soon I will be gone

Still he walked
Still he followed
that voice. 

 6


Dust devils plucked specks from the sand and spat them at his face

Walk on my son
this is your time... and mine.




 7


He followed the voice into dark canyons carved by raging streams now long dry

and he was grateful to leave behind the dark places

to climb towards the light.



8

And from a high place he watched in wonder as the sun sank into desert sea

he watched as it stained the sand like wine spreading on a table

like blood.



9

As evening fell he looked for a place to rest

the dry desert skies sucked back the warmth from the ground as he lay down his head

and the night creatures were set loose
hungry and wild.







A weak morning light filtered into the ravine where he slept and he woke

that restlessness was there still
gnawing at him
calling him on

now is your time... and mine
now is your time... and mine.

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