Thursday, September 13, 2012

Sonnet: Mark 8:27-38

Among the empire's gleaming monuments
To human strength and military power--
Attempts to leave eternal testaments,
Withstanding time's attack like fortress tower--
The man's disciples reach a turning point
And questions of identity arise.
Is he Messiah, one God did anoint?
The Son of Man, but somehow in disguise?
Thus gathered there, his kingdom they are taught:
True living comes through dying, gain from loss;
Denial of self, divine things to be sought...
And his most lasting monument--a cross!
            Turn us to know and follow Christ who shows
            The blessed, risen life his death bestows.


© Phillip Martin


ruins at Caesarea Philippi



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Really good!
The reader does stumble twice, unsure what to make of "one God" for "one whom God", and "That" after "show", taken at first reading as a conjunction when a demonstrative is intended. Also, the contraction of "monument's" is jarring in such serious diction; I'd
prefer a dash there. But theologically it's perfect!

Phillip said...

What superb recommedations! Thanks for reading. This one didn't come as easily as the others, and I finally just had to hang it up. But I agree with you assessment. Time for revisions!