Earthling's Lament

‘I am going to prepare a place for you’. (John:14.2)

A place where earthly day is turned to night.

Where sight and sound are sealed, the tongue’s delight

Withdrawn, and all the scent of flowers has passed.

Where mortal lover’s carnal love outcast.

A place where deepest sorrow is denied

The touch which human solace once supplied.

Where human happiness bereft of chance

To celebrate a welcome happenstance.

And hope of warm reunion on that shore

With precious loved ones, who had left before,

is unfulfilled. No passionate embrace

Will clasp them in that sense benighted place.

Yet Magdalen’s encounter with her Lord,

Like that of dying thief, grants hope restored.