Walk Straight
There 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 feelthe closer your journey to the coming arrival.
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.
Hi, Patricia. Thanks for your comment, and you’re welcome.
Marvelous, John. I will carry this flame with me in the weeks ahead.
Thanks, Kelly. And thank you for pointing to the poem on FB.
Thank you.
Hi, Tanya. Thanks!
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….
Hi, Cynthia. Thanks for stopping by!
Powerful, John. Thank you. I will.
I appreciate your comment, Susan. And you’re welcome.
Thank you isn’t adequate but really, there are no words that will do. This is just beautiful and true.
Jemelene, sometimes ‘thank you’ actually comes ever so close to being adequate.
I have caught glimpses of the wild things beyond the creche and though it scares me silly I will keep walking with my candle…
Hi, Barbara. Yes, I know what you mean…keep walking, there are others of us out there with candles too.
[…] Walk Straight by John Blase […]
Beautiful. Thank you for this.
Thank you, Elena.
Breathtaking.
Gracias, fr. Murray.
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.
Hi, Peg. Wow, that’s quite a comment. Thank you too!
TANK YOU John for opening up the Advent season with another amazing perspective!
Allison, and tank you for making me smile!
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
Kristina, yes, we’ve got to continue to tell the better story. Thanks for your words.
I’ve revisited this poem so many times and shared with others. Thank you…just thank you.
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 🙂
Hi, RW. Yes, sharing with full credit is fine by me. I’m glad the words stirred something.
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!
Certainly, Elizabeth! Thanks.
I want to let you know that my post, the one using your poem, is up if you want to see it. http://madesacred.com/2013/12/waiting/ Thank you again for allowing me to use your poem.
Robust and provocative. Your poem makes real the vision of God breaking through. Thanks.
a beautiful direction to focus.
[…] Walk Straight by John Blase […]
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.
Hi, Yvonne. You have my permission to use the poem. And if you’d link to my blog that’d be great.
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.