
Watch, Oh Man
Do you suppose the sandals that he wore
were slipped from ‘neath his soles
and bare he dared to tread upon the ground
of that place, Gethsemane?
A greater Moses, who too slipped
those leather soles from off his feet
when fire consumed the brush
and called him hence.
Contend with the Almighty if you dare.
This place is holy ground and lips
that utter here should not offend.
Holy feet and holy tears attend.
Meet, with peace a kiss
like coal upon the lips that cleanses speech.
And who is this that with Almighty meet,
but God’s own Son, a man of men:
Oh, God above, would you not take this cup?
Pray, give me strength that I should drink.
Imbibe in full that bitter gall;
drink, and become the sinners all.
I once turned water into wine
that wedding guests should not pine,
and knew then still the day to come
when wine would turn to blood.
They marveled, that I should save the best for last.
Watch, oh man, as on that cross it’s done again.
Lovely Brit. Effective shift from third to first person. One point of contention: the bush was NOT consumed by fire—an important theological and symbolic point (at least for the Orthodox). :-)
Love the start with sandals, Brit. I’ve heard it said that if it’s ever difficult to slow down and take stock spiritually, a good first step is to go around barefoot for awhile.
Wonderful tribute all around.