A Conversation

Sorry for the length, but it contains a testimony.

BOY:
Stop dear spirit, for this scene is too sad to comprehend—
because Eve touched the fruit we all must reach an end?
See them huddle together like two wretched castaways
clutching each other and marking the beginning of days
in a world so tainted and distant from the first paradise,
so warped by scorching heat, so scarred by hail and ice.
Prone to the heat of lust, the icy plains of indifference,
the hollowness of self-piety, sins going without recompense.

Now I know the reason for my once undefined despair
and wish that you had never pierced the midnight air—
for unnamed sadness is better than that with the label
of Truth, when grounded in cold facts worse than fables
made up by a mistaken mind, thrice-echoing phantasms
that need but to be fixed with electro-shock spasms
or altering chemicals to make the mind sane or serene
in madness (either side of the fence being equally green).
O unlucky day, O wretched man that I am! Formed
with corrupted genes! O that I had never first wormed
my way into this cataract falling helplessly into the void,
this orb of revolving death, by hope and faith decoyed.
O that I had stayed a piece of nothing without a thought
than be cast to a field full of death and endless draught!

ANGEL:
What is this? How you carry on in a grand rush
to prick yourself with every thorn on the bush
and don’t see or smell the eternally bright roses
which carry sweet hope to all stretched-forth noses.
O son of doubt and fear, of a head-hardened heart,
I show a flaming chariot, you behold a donkey cart!

I show before you a grand and glorious vista
and you look fish-like, as if you had kissed a
frog or swallowed a camel – O the strange race
of man that looks at Him who sets the pace
as a cruel Task-Master, looking to do all men harm,
rather than as a Teacher and ever-extended arm
ready to lift and help, and to whom He loves chastise,
that they may be strong enough to claim the prize
given to all that are strong and endure to the last
of the mortal climb steeper and higher than Everest.
But not, O fool, as low as the depths of Gethsemane,
where a cup was filled and emptied out on Calvary.

For, remember when the Firstborn agreed to a plan
that called for Him to make an intercession for man?
You do not understand the significance of this thing
and think only of yourself and your present suffering.
But think for a moment of what the hosts of Heaven
voted upon the willing Christ, the God of the seven
days of creation. This thing has passed by somehow
like a ship at full speed in the dead of night will plow
through the water while the islanders are unaware
on either side, but let me add more words to the tide
that this thing may sink deep and anchor your soul
to a sure foundation, that you may take in the whole
and be not caught in your selfish thoughts like a thief
caught suddenly by light in the midst of his mischief,
and you understand only when it is everlastingly too late
and the judge has passed sentence and sealed your fate.

For it was this Christ, the Word of God’s all-mighty power,
Creator of the world, it was only He who would not cower
when all creation stood befuddled and shame-faced
before the throne when it became little by little obvious
to God’s sons and daughters that the only way to proceed
with the plan was to find a scapegoat. There was a need
for someone to suffer, but who would do this thing?
Not even Lucifer would consider it, and went devising
a different plan to bypass the deed and still gain the prestige
of the Lamb, and set about to put the proposal under seige,
confessing that no one would consent to this thing and deliver
in the end, that the task was too difficult and the Task-Giver
was unrealistic in placing such a burden on any individual,
that such a price was too steep for the worth of any soul.

But then the Task-Giver stood before the wondering throng
and proposed that He Himself would atone for the wrongs
committed by the entire human family. That He, He
who had partaken of the Father’s ability to perfectly see
into the future and knew of the awful choice he was making,
aware of the depths of humiliation involved in partaking
of the suffering imposed by Justice, affirmed His intent
to do this thing that spilled His precious blood and rent
His flesh. This thing too horrible to comprehend; this thing
that He must drink; this thing that took an Eternal King
and thrashed Him without mercy; this thing that took a God
and caused Him to weep and bleed and eat the sod
as he lay beneath the burden of an infinite load;
this formless thing, this suffering, that took hold
of each cell of His being and chewed from within –
parsing out a punishment for mankind’s every sin.

Only an all-great Being could suffer an all-great suffering,
only a sinless Man could feel the prick of the smallest sting
of conscience, then have it multiplied until all space shuddered
to be near the pain and agony that caused the Creator to stutter
His prayers to the Father, and groan under an infinite burden.
Weep not for Adam or your own lot. Weep for your sins
that added to the pains of your Advocate, and also try
with your might to comprehend His love for you and I.

He said he would do it, and we voted His suffering
upon Him, wondering, fearful, yet also rejoicing
that a way was paved for our progress and learning,
but mindful of the screw our vote was then turning.
For having been given the role of Redeemer by consent,
the beloved Firstborn was broken in the garden then bent
upon the cross. Through a miracle of His will and love
He was dragged by the world and then He rose above,
that he may lift as many others as will believe on Him
enough to grab His hand rather than attempt to swim
to a faraway shore by the power of their flesh, through
thrashing about or ignoring their only chance of rescue.

And now, O man, who approved His suffering by a vote:
are you going to take advantage of the saving boat,
or consent to God’s death and then ignore the price paid?
Rejoice! Look to the most Beloved Son who willingly laid
His holy life upon an alter that He could stretch the bands
of death, then break them by the power of his pierced hands;
that death would kill One it had no right to seize or harm
and stand unjustified—allowing Mercy to stretch His arm
and envelop those who meet the laws the Savior fulfilled—
the broken-hearted and contrite who follow the Fathers will.

Do you not see that the sting of the dark machine is gone,
that the grave has no victory that can last very long?
It is finished! The plan was not destroyed but put into effect
when Adam and Eve partook – their choice was correct!
Each body will wither, but an Easter morning will bring
about a renewal, every winter will succumb to spring;
all bodies will be restored to their individual perfection.
Great is our Lord, and all-powerful His resurrection!
As for our parents Adam and Eve,
for which of their fates do you grieve?
For every curse from heaven is but
a blessing roughly cut,
a bitter-tasting pill
that will ultimately heal.


Kevin