Grace and Disgrace

Patience rises before the fall

As time speeds toward infinity.

Unmarked crossroads tempt and call

With lure of gross obscenity.

Man tests his faith, his way to earn.

He knows he must hasten his pace.

Decievers wail, his head to turn,

His purse and purpose to disgrace.

A man thrives closer to the sun,

Tramples all else beneath his feet.

With faith in God, when day is done,

He shall not succumb to defeat. 

In fearsome bravery he stands.

Honor bids he defend his world

Against evil's reckless demands,

Armored in faith, his flag unfurled.

He feels the fire of contrition

Sharpen his Sword of Damocles.

He rates last his own ambition --

Thrust and parry, duty to please.

Yet that very road to obligation

Winds its way before God's throne.

Prostrate and begging salvation,

He knows the cost, he must atone.

In dreams, he conquers his fears.

He prays at first scent of danger.

Braving the pall of worry and tears,

He kneels in awe at The Manger. 

Author's Note

When poets plumb our own psyche for substance, it is like diving into the deep end of the ocean. Conscious faith is our only life raft.

Reviews

[dead letter office]

Lovely verse, meter and rhyme. I've found this to be true:

"He feels the fire of contrition
Sharpen his Sword of Damocles.
He rates last his own ambition --
Thrust and parry, duty to please.
Yet that very road to obligation
Winds its way before God's throne.
Prostrate and begging salvation,"

since Christ's cross provided my atonement
and resurrection proved he is Life, I walk in it.

I follow Christ. Write on!

[bigfootprint]

Thank you so much for your insights. It is the unanticipated challenges that test the mettle of the wayfarer far from home. Let's pray they follow your lead. Thanks

[NataliaXael]

This writing has a really nice flow, and I can see a lot of pride and faith in God and country here. "He kneels in awe at The Manger." A very powerful visual there. Nice job.

[Gee]

Pssst, last line, he's left an "A " out of manager.

[NataliaXael]

Manger is that thing they feed cattle and sheep in, it's what Jesus laid in when he was born...

[Gee]

Bless him, could have given the poor little mite a Moses basket or better still one of them multi functional pram cum bed cum changing station. Much more practical

[bigfootprint]

Could have been but isn't. But thank you. It's Manger (as in Creche), Iconic display of the holy family in Bethlehem.

[bigfootprint]

Thanks Natalia, just so. And the second comment, a nice digression. Thanks. It is good to feel the spirit pouring into a piece such as this -- and the comments it draws.

[bigfootprint]

Should we re-title it "Grace Always Wins"?