by Aisling Cruz

after Herbert & McIntyre  

I

Uplift of the earth-bound, 
will you sing it again to my 
weary soul? Tell of the riches 
hidden ahead, wisdom 
of heaven more precious 
than gold. Blood of my soul, 
will you sing to me? Tender 
your whisper takes into 
the heart, though scarlet 
your sin has all been washed,
though blind your eyes now
open see, though dead 
you live alive in Me. 

II

The rapid wing of prayer 
ascending as the planets lifts 
my head to sing the plenty 
hidden in Your heart, a feast 
unmeasured, blazing fire, 
hush of night winds, warm
rapport, return, return,
return of love, the veil torn 
out, unbroken bond.

III

Glorious return, moving breath 
to breath, sound perceived 
in unearthly stillness. It is here 
the burden lays, here one 
makes an entrance, threshold 
to the wondrous rare, a doorpost 
laid with crimson. 

---

Aisling Cruz is a Midwest-based poet and artist. Her work has most recently appeared in Oyster River Pages, Penumbra, and The Pointed Circle. When she isn’t composing poetry, you might find her whipping up a new dessert recipe or meandering through the woods.