Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Immigrant Church

The nave, once filled with the massed faithful
Offering their prayers to the God who drove the serpents and famine out of the old country.
So here they came, the brave and anguished to begin a new life.

The crucified Christ watches over his faithful flock from his vantage point above the high altar.
"Fear not my flock, for My Father has blessed your tribe
But bring to this house your prayers and concerns.
So that your flock will flourish and not be scattered"

A century past, engulfed by time brought with it much opportunity
Has now scattered the flock away from the hearth of the city.
Leaving this house empty, save for a few faithful too old to make the journey

A new flock now has entered this nave.
"Fear not my flock, for My Father has blessed your tribe
But bring to this house your prayers and concerns
So that your flock will flourish, and not be scattered"

3 comments:

  1. Very insightful verse about the changes in the Church over the years. Lovely.

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  2. I can see your refinement of your poem, Pat, and it kind of takes it in a direction a little different than before. You express yourself beautifully in poetry. I like this very much.

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  3. Thanks for the comment. I wanted to shorten this poem without losing the message behind it. I think it flows better this way.

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