The Gardener's Section

Within this page are planted the seeds borne of good ground, where the sower has received plenteous vantage. Here the harvest is tended to and kept gently, aroused with dew and beautified by spring airs. The seasons are tempered here and the wine is new.

---

The Lily and the Frog

Self-reflection is also vanity and grief of heart.

Who hops from lawn to lawn seeking greener pasture?

That man is an animal and has forgotten grace.

Jerusalem

If Jerusalem could speak,

She would not speak of her beauty,

Nor boast of the wisdom of her workmanship.

She would cast forth her fruit and fill my belly

With the seed of her pomegranate,

Ringing, ringing, and ringing again.

Passion has a name, and she is above the skies,

As the harp, as the bell, as the honey, and as the moon.

Her clothing is upon my skin,

The garment of perfect righteousness,

Fashioned by the Tailor’s hands.

Skillfully, and carefully, the Carpenter fabrics my home.

I love Him erratically.

He loves me erotically.

Holiness abides here.

Sarepta

Sarepta is the city of food in famine;

A refuge for the prophets;

Where bread be not scarce nor wanting.

She is not Jerusalem, but along the coasts of the Mediterranean,

Where the weary traveler doth take rest,

And ordaineth strength—

A home for the widow, the place of famine,

Where the Lord hath ordained

She shall be plentiful and free—

Both her and her son.

Hush

Hush-- the voice of silence

Ere a whisper of magnificence.

Hush— the wind in flight,

Upon the sound of wings.

‘Worship’, say they.

These voices are holy;

And soon the rapture of golden harmonium, hear!

Here taste I the quiver of joy,

And my springs are full.

So dance—

For hushed be the song of heaven,

Heard below

In the still and in the calm.

Yea, ponder. Hear too.

The Vanity

To echo words most easily understood,

Oft forgot, but steadfast nonetheless;

The vanity of riches and belonging,

Whereof comfort is vain.

Life of the soul and health doth surpass it,

As does the beauty of holiness,

Script in writ,

And wisdom obeys.

The peace of Salem speaketh verily,

To discomfit the people for war.

Yea, may war befit the world to

Strengthen the enmity;

For the bruised heel is healed against the

Head of that wicked dragon.

Bring forth the weapons!

I shall ungird the harness as did David,

With his Son, the king of war.

‘Alas!’ Say so, that dark day.

Eastern Captivity

Ask why she despises the east rising,

The groin of false religion.

There is turmoil in her soul,

Black as midnight,

For when the Thief shall come,

To take His captives home,

Where the Son is Righteousness.

Amen.

He Shall Avenge

We talk of hope as of a distant thing--

(Oh, to taste and to see!)

How death would be sweet,

Yet for Christ I'd live,

Hope is the present peace.

What shall I render?

He shall Avenge.

Peace, Please

From the Creator and Lord of majesty,

To the plea of the poorest sinner upon bended knee,

Peace is the fruit of the lips.

Whatever we say, may we also do,

As does He, the Who of joy--

With a restful pliant face and a runny nose;

The air of nightfall is the noon of prayer.

Eve on the Sabbath, the day of rest for me,

The weary weeping pilgrim.