Pentecost I

When dawned the Day of Pentecost,

Some deadness in the air,

Stung by the sense that all was lost

And paralyzed by fear

A band of brothers hung around

A house that was not theirs.

And suddenly there came a sound

Of gods bestrewing stars

On earth, their breath a wind that crashed

And shattered panes and doors

And barren expectations smashed

Destroying bolts and bars

Preventing change in human hearts

That could no gospel hear.

Without the aid of maps or charts

Or fabricated cheer,

A heav’nly flame of white-hot love

Their comp’ny came among,

Alighting like a graceful dove,

Distributing a tongue

On heads of all those brothers there.

Exotic words spoke they,

Drunk on a Spirit very rare,

And prophesied a Day

When earth and heaven would join as one

To celebrate a God

Whose grace and mercy had begun

To cast that fire abroad

So that the universe might be

Converted and renewed

And stamped through all eternity

With God’s similitude.

And oh, my kindred, near and far

You dead and living dead,

That Spirit will your minds unbar

From all you hate and dread

And set you free to realize

In resurrection power

That we ourselves have won the prize

Within this very hour

Of God the Son’s transcendent love

Exceeding all desire

That never will from us remove

That purifying fire!  

May, 2016


© Frank Gasque Dunn, 2016