Hope and Chains

Hope and Chains

(“For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.” Acts 28:20)

The list of events, the chain of sentences, an opening,
a booking, the words of innocence spoken were written
in graffiti light across the darkened alleys.

The scarves in the wind, the breeze on the river,
a stanza, the snippets of authenticity hovered like
angelic confetti just above sea level.

The poems we read, the lyrics in our heads, a Friday late,
a classroom, the paragraphs of novices settled like
incense, prayer, and flickering candlelight.

Shackled wrists paint of freedom,

imprisoned pain composes joy,
hushed tongues announce the praise,
and broken legs dance the spring of
fawns and does in the woodlands new.

The Christ we know, the Word uncreated, an opening,
a looking, the Truth and Innocence spoken and earthen;
dust and heaven in quiet hope come morning,
come evening,
come maskless without dreaming;

The Christ we know, the Word our love
like crystal rivers comes streaming.