6.
A rainbow is visible through the clouds,
but the multitudes stand like sheep,
while the rain comes stroking the air. The rain
cleans the water and the firmament.
The people don’t know, of course,
that they are sheep, forsaking what matters most:
They have forgotten to dream.
And as the pond and the lake fill with water,
small puddles form on the land,
the sheep relive their false memories.
They think they are thinking, choosing,
watching for wolves. They “know about”
wolves, because they are sheep.
But they don’t know wolves.
The sheep bow their heads,
while raindrops fall into a small pond
in the openness of meadow. But other drops
became lodged in the trees, where they hang in
fine slivers of hope—unless, in the coldness,
they freeze—only to fall when the sun penetrates
the dense forest, sending them on a journey
to wherever it is they must go,
which is—at least, for some—
like speaking the truth in love.
posted in response to “Interview With a Church Going Christian” posted at Common Sense Christian
first published in an earlier version in Ann Arbor Review
3 comments
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January 8, 2008 at 3:30 am
Jana Allard
WOW! What a powerful poem. This line caught my attention, “They “know about” wolves, because they are sheep. But they don’t know wolves.” Similarily, so many people know about Christ but really don’t know Him.
January 8, 2008 at 3:32 am
Brian Allard
I really like this metaphor. We should never forget to dream nor should we stop watching for the things (wolves) that are trying to destroy our spirits. I really like this post!
January 8, 2008 at 9:47 am
helenl
Hi Jan and Brian, Thanks for you kind comments. This is part six of a seven part poem inspired by the quotation, “In the farthest sweeps of history, the prophet’s dream is that the knowledge of God will cover the face of the earth.” by my dear friend, Alton B. Pollard, III in his pamphlet, “There Is a Presence.” Alton is now the dean of the divinity school at Howard University. I knew him when he taught at Wake Forest. The poem was published in an earlier form at Ann Arbor Review and is a part of my book manuscript (that I’m still shopping).