Matthew Five

You have heard it said
Men will walk about blind,
Hating brother and blood
Trumpeting righteousness to the skies,
Sure of their religion.

You have heard it said,
And seen it too,
Clothed in Sunday’s best sermon
Echoing through the golden pews
And into the chambers of power.

You have heard it said
And the faithful prove it true;
Naked and weary,
Cheeks purple and bruised,
Sowing justice and mercy
With bleary eyes.

Autumn Rain (2005)

The beaded silver lights
The dreary, weary world
And in my heart alights
With splashing dashing furl.

Outside the window, pain
The emphatic ripple moves;
Life in pouring rain
And love from self behooves.

Awash in hallow creed,
A reeking sufficiency
To strip away my need
By grace’s great efficiency.