Epiphany

It happened long ago, in Palestine's deep wild,
Yet still we bow our heads, in reverence reconciled,
Before the mighty secret of the Cosmic Soul
That came to dwell within a human son, made whole.

By the river, a wandering clan was in a swarm –
An unwise and a dark, benighted tribe!
And none of them attempted, through the grey and uniform,
Into the present time's true core to probe.

Into the stagnant waters, breath of living Fire
Was sent by the Abode, the living Source.
"But One who comes after is greater in His power,"
The departing Teacher tells us on His course.

You stroked a blade of grass upon the yellow ground,
You turned, and we fell silent, held in thrall,
For on Your calm, cold brow we saw, at last, profound,
The Cross of Love and sorrow, great and all.

And it flashed before us like a falling star,
That quiet, lilac evening, soft and deep,
When the Cross that burns above Your head, afar,
Would be accepted by frail shoulders, in Your keep.

And later, lighting up the cities in the night,
The pavements on the sleepy, quiet streets,
Above a cross the same, a star will shine its light,
Gathering those You saved in holy feats.