Walk Straight

winter_walk_by_aljoschathielen-d5t4sx4There are wild things
just beyond the creche.
Pry loose an Advent
candle from its round
wreath and walk straight
past the doe-eyed virgin,
deeper into the world
he was born to save.
 
Jettison your meekness.
Cup your hand over the
flame, you’ll be exposed.
No, don’t look for a star.
Instead listen for the carol
of the trees as the wind
repeats its sounding joy.
You’ll feel more lost than
saved but that’s how the
prophets say it will feel
the closer your journey to
the coming arrival.
 
 
 
 
 

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37 Comments

  1. patiricia on November 29, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    Whether poets, lyricists or composers who touch the heart so deeply… I’m often drawn to imagining the artist at “work” and am left in awe of that holy moment. You are so generous with sharing yours, John… thank you.

    • thebeautifuldue on November 30, 2013 at 1:50 pm

      Hi, Patricia. Thanks for your comment, and you’re welcome.

  2. Kelly Chripczuk (@inthefieldswGod) on November 29, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    Marvelous, John. I will carry this flame with me in the weeks ahead.

    • thebeautifuldue on November 30, 2013 at 1:50 pm

      Thanks, Kelly. And thank you for pointing to the poem on FB.

  3. Tanya Marlow on November 30, 2013 at 8:00 am

    Thank you.

  4. Cynthia on November 30, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    Wow! Quietly powerful and beautiful! I will listen for “the carol of the trees as the wind repeats its sounding joy.” Thank you for sharing this advent gem….

  5. Susan Irene Fox on November 30, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    Powerful, John. Thank you. I will.

    • thebeautifuldue on December 3, 2013 at 3:29 pm

      I appreciate your comment, Susan. And you’re welcome.

  6. Jemelene on November 30, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    Thank you isn’t adequate but really, there are no words that will do. This is just beautiful and true.

    • thebeautifuldue on December 3, 2013 at 3:32 pm

      Jemelene, sometimes ‘thank you’ actually comes ever so close to being adequate.

  7. BarbaraB on November 30, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    I have caught glimpses of the wild things beyond the creche and though it scares me silly I will keep walking with my candle…

    • thebeautifuldue on December 3, 2013 at 3:33 pm

      Hi, Barbara. Yes, I know what you mean…keep walking, there are others of us out there with candles too.

  8. The Wisdom of Waiting - Redemptions Beauty on November 30, 2013 at 10:54 pm

    […] Walk Straight by John Blase […]

  9. Elena Johnston on November 30, 2013 at 11:51 pm

    Beautiful. Thank you for this.

  10. Rich on December 1, 2013 at 4:19 am

    Breathtaking.

  11. Peg Richards on December 1, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    I have my own collection of “The Poetry of John Blase” where I’ve saved favorites from over the years. This has been added today. Piercingly beautiful. Thank you.

    • thebeautifuldue on December 3, 2013 at 3:34 pm

      Hi, Peg. Wow, that’s quite a comment. Thank you too!

  12. Allison Flannery on December 2, 2013 at 5:19 am

    TANK YOU John for opening up the Advent season with another amazing perspective!

  13. Kristina Skepton on December 2, 2013 at 10:54 am

    It has been days since I first read this and I have found myself several times recalling that first line, “There are wild things just beyond the creche.”

    If only this were the standard picture of Christianity – one filled with excitement and adventure and wild-ness.

    In the meantime we can just keep trying to paint it so …

    God bless you!

    Kristina Skepton
    Founder, SeeingGod Ministries
    http://www.themoreyouseegod.blogspot.com
    http://www.Facebook.com/SeeingGod

    • thebeautifuldue on December 3, 2013 at 3:36 pm

      Kristina, yes, we’ve got to continue to tell the better story. Thanks for your words.

    • Erin on December 16, 2021 at 9:54 am

      I’ve revisited this poem so many times and shared with others. Thank you…just thank you.

  14. R W on December 3, 2013 at 3:25 am

    You’ll feel more lost than

    saved but that’s how the

    prophets say it will feel

    the closer your journey to

    the coming arrival.

    Oh yes. I so feel that today. Thank you for these beautiful words.
    Is there any way I could share them on my blog with full credit to you?
    You can totally say no 🙂

    • thebeautifuldue on December 3, 2013 at 3:56 am

      Hi, RW. Yes, sharing with full credit is fine by me. I’m glad the words stirred something.

  15. Elizabeth on December 3, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    Breathtaking. Thank you. May I use this at the end of my own blog post that I will publish on Friday? It would be a perfect closing. Credit given, of course!

  16. Pamela Grey on December 4, 2013 at 12:32 am

    Robust and provocative. Your poem makes real the vision of God breaking through. Thanks.

  17. Lisa M. on December 4, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    a beautiful direction to focus.

  18. In which I link you up (vol. 38) - Sarah Bessey on December 6, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    […] Walk Straight by John Blase […]

  19. Yvonne Lucia on December 10, 2013 at 1:08 am

    Dear John,
    May I use this in my Christmas card? Each year I include a provocative poem to encourage friends and family to think outside of the box…I will include link to your blog, if you grant permission. Many thanks.

    • thebeautifuldue on December 10, 2013 at 1:48 am

      Hi, Yvonne. You have my permission to use the poem. And if you’d link to my blog that’d be great.

  20. Nicole Paschall on December 17, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    I just finished Touching Wonder. It was powerful and God used it to speak deeply to me in this Advent season as we serve overseas and it doesn’t feel like Christmas at all. This poem once again gave me space to pause and contemplate Christmas and like my reflections on the book- it brought the realization that it does in fact feel like Christmas because God comes. He is with us. That is Christmas.Thank.You.

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