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Life isn’t a fairy tale,
though it may end happily―
even happily ever after.
.
Life is real,
and may end in despair―
even despair forever.
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The Savior isn’t a fairy tale character,
But the King who rules over us―,
over happiness or despair,
.
The King is
Himself Reality―
The Way, the Truth, and the Life!
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He draws us to
humble prayer for our good―
for our wholeness and holiness.
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.
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Time and place: Renaissance Florence
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From watch-posts, pedestals, columns,
they leapt to life―claws out,
jaws wide―their roars not imagined
by those dreaming in safety.
With strength they pursued vagrants, who too
were prowling―worse than any lion―
for they bore the image of the Eternal
yet roamed the night to thieve and maul.
One old guardian, full-maned but thin-shanked,
awoke still half-stone, claws clutching
shining spheres of marble
to menace and wield. At times
the night, under the Italian skies,
and the dim streets, were thronged
with legions of lions seeking vengeance
for the corruption of their City.
Out of love, they nuzzled real lions―
caged at street corners―
making them think they were
simply their own magnificent shadows―
And so, in ancient stone Justice still lived and redressed wrongs
in Florence which proclaimed herself its Guardian.
Until I find my pace, a few posts from my previous blog will appear here. This is one, a poem that showcases things we’re looking for when we read fairy tales.
Beyond things and certain kinds of characters, we want an entertaining journey that takes us from curiosity to excitement, from suspense – and sometimes horror – to joy and relief!
In fairy tales we find
things quaint, sweet,
or unexpected.
In fairy tales we find
things profound
or horrible,
wheelbarrows filled with
toads and gems,
lions and hares,
an ogre’s castle,
fog and mist,
starlight, ships’ lanterns,
enchanted isles,
a forest not nicked by an axe,
a magical spyglass, tower,
and rope made from
Rapunzel’s yellow hair.
