Saturday, January 21, 2012

Quest


Christmas fades,
Easter’s bloody horizon
snarls at Lenten end.

A star that shone so brightly
in the constellation of lesser gods
beckons wise men still
from their learnèd gazing.

The journey remains arduous
‘cold coming’*
through savage landscapes of the day
with only faith as guide
and fellowship's dichotomy –
grace and duty
a constant companion.

Unwisdom of minor sages steal
at the hem of our garments
their impotent questions
draining energy and making each step
an effort of the soul.

‘There was a birth’* ,
there was a death,
at the entrance to eternity
and questing travellers
touch that death
with their own nativity.

*‘cold coming’& ‘There was a birth’ – from TS Eliott’s ‘Journey of the magi’
Journey of the Magi

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MNKfHzelz1UA0pR5xa1rTXunhL9sjInWapaqaV9-4HKNVtZlVeNyMN7XnyhqKyUCk9kpSKkJRKjsu7SUp5dk3yi2qi8X77HDIeCWdKg3bBFKKxR3HOVCruGdsFbADCiSVg/s1600/CWblogo.gif
 This is part of the January blog chain of writing by members of ChristianWriters.com - please see the full list  of those involved in the right hand column and visit a few of the others.

17 comments:

Pegg Thomas said...

The ultimate quest. Keithster, you've nailed it!

Keri Mae said...

Love your poetry. It sighs deep.

Michael Johnson said...

Keith,

The first line is great, "Christmas fades." What a great way of talking about this point in time.

Jack Brown said...

haunting picture and poetry
biiiig hug Keith

Tracy Krauss said...

I can't help but think of yesterday's CW post as it relates to the quest for more time and this one. We can live longer - eternally - if we follow the one who holds the key to life and death.

The Unknowngnome said...

Your writing always touches me. I so identify with the fourth stanza of this right now.

Thanks Keith.

Adam Collings said...

Kieth your poetry always have such a devotional quality to it. This is very meaningful.

The fourth stanza is an interesting reminder of how we can be drained of all that our connection to God provides us with when we fall into human argument.

Well done.

E. G. Lewis said...

Great as usual.

Keith Wallis said...

Thanks for your encouragement folks.

Traci B said...

Fantastic poem, Keith. The first stanza is stunning; it reminds us of the great price of our grace.

Christine L.Henderson said...

Love your succinct use of words and your images. I always look forward to reading your monthly post.

Cindee Snider Re said...

Oh, Keith, wow! Love every single word. Words to feed the soul, slow and long. Thank you!

chris said...

I like it Keith, the picture is perfect with this one!

From Carols Quill said...

This theme--the magi questing to find Jesus--is so perfectly timed for this month. And you seem to be the only one of us CW bloggers who noticed that timing.

More to the point--wonderful words; beautifully and poignantly written. Thank you for this.

Unknown said...

Wonderful post Keith- "there was a birth, there was a death, at the entrance to eternity" That is the quest- we discover it from birth and arrive, through God's grace and at the completion - death-of this time.

Deborah K. Anderson said...

Another great poem, Keith. Thanks for posting this.

MGalloway said...

Great stuff Keith!