The Magdalene

By John Blase | April 29, 2014 |
She loved him because
his ways were gentle.
How he came to be like
that she did not know
and did not care.
It was enough that he was.
He always greeted her
the way morning breaks,
sharp but soft.
He did not come to rescue her
as most men defined rescue:
to bend and to douse.
He came lighting the way
for her to stand and burn.
 
 

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,324 other subscribers

34 Comments

  1. Janet Lee on April 29, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    ahh! thank you….

    Reply
  2. Gwen Acres on April 29, 2014 at 2:49 pm

    Not to be doused, but to stand and burn ….what every woman wants !

    Reply
  3. Jamie Wright Bagley on April 29, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Yes, I love that. He is not the flamboyant hero but the one who comes alongside, offering light and love.

    Reply
  4. Larry Shallenberger on April 29, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    I’m gonna sit here a while. You keep talking,John.

    Reply
  5. Dawn on April 29, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Wow. Yes. Fantastic.

    Reply
  6. Joyce H on April 29, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    I stand taller when I read your light.

    Reply
    • thebeautifuldue on April 30, 2014 at 6:25 pm

      That’s quite a thing to say, Joyce. Thank you.

      Reply
  7. Cherry Odelberg on April 29, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    Goal: More Like Magdalene

    Reply
  8. Carmen Ibrahim on April 29, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    Reblogged this on speaking kingdom hope – carmen rambles.

    Reply
  9. Amy K. Sorrells on April 29, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    indeed….

    Reply
  10. christielambert83 on April 29, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    Beautiful. Thank you.

    Reply
  11. Brandee Shafer on April 29, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    soaking it in and breathing a little more deeply

    Reply
  12. Melody Harrison Hanson on April 29, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    Wow, thank you.

    Reply
  13. rhodaras2 on April 29, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    Oh my… this was a gift of grace. Thank you for capturing this beauty.

    Reply
    • thebeautifuldue on April 30, 2014 at 6:27 pm

      Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

      Reply
  14. Sarah Oyerinde on April 30, 2014 at 12:54 am

    Magdalene, from Magdala, which in hebrew means “elegant”, “great”, or “tower”… according to Wikipedia, that is. If this is so, then such a fitting title.

    Reply
  15. R W on April 30, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    He came lighting the way

    for her to stand and burn

    That is what I want. So much.
    Thank you.

    “If we’ve only got one try
    If we’ve only got one life
    If time was never on our side
    Then before I die
    I want to burn out bright”
    -switchfoot

    Reply
  16. Nothing in particular | Seashell Nell on May 2, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    […] poetry like it ain’t no thang. But, really, guys. I’ve been reading and rereading this poem all week. I adore it. “…to stand and burn.” Epic yes, John Blase. Click the link, […]

    Reply
  17. Weekend Links (Vol. 2) | Redemption Pictures on May 5, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    […] The Magdalene by John Blase […]

    Reply
  18. Lori Fast on July 18, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    So true. So beautiful, and strong, and gentle. Thank you for sharing your words.

    Reply
  19. Anna on February 16, 2020 at 9:56 pm

    Hearing this poem without the title and I thought of marriage. My tender and tough husband. He leads me a lets me shine. It turns our very ordinary life of going to Sams Club on Saturdays sound sweeter between us. He is a good man. Then I think of Christ, when I learn this poem is called Magdalene. And I still am not wrong.

    Reply

Leave a Comment