A restless shadow
of a fiddler's elbow
plays a tune to
staggering feet
the burden of his songs
the looking glass scorns
at this disfigured
odious face
indeed alone
hugging my breast
the sun i neglect
in darkness i roam
offerings of flowers
on a barren grave
where my body will lie
uncared and unwept
idle bait, my shawl on the lattice
someone may see it
perhaps look my way
no thread of sympathy
unites me to man
i lay softly
down once again
within my aged walls
taunts and vexatious
fragments of a tune
play most mournfully
with sadness in my voice
i break the solemn stillness
my drooping head falls
on languid hands
Ancient of days
Creator of life
from the womb
You have formed me
my vile sight You love
covered by Your shadow
held within Your hand
made in Your likeness
precious am i
the glare of a sinking flame
binds me to my clay
indeed alone
hugging my breast
the sun i neglect
in darkness i roam
offerings of flowers
i rest in the earth
my body will lie
uncared and unwept.
14. Anthem
[bonus track]
You shared flesh with me
danced with me in the ancient circle
of birth life and death
but You live again
while autumn leaves fall
in the summer of my life
it is the millstone
around the neck of us all
but You wore it like a crown
weaving to the shrill
that makes cowards of us all
but to You it was harmony
You knew shame like no other
You tasted death like no other
You shed tears like no other man
this incarnation repelled me
but threw me to my knees
could i be anything
but a moth to the flame
Your cross compels me
You are the breath that gives me life
You are mystery
You are beauty
You are the risen Christ.
