Art: “Struggle of the Will” by Barbara Bonnell, 2022.
Poem: “The Storm” by Angela Hunt, 2009.
Few
Are willing to step there,
There, into the storm.
They, instead,
Whisper their incantations
Of warrior prayer, intent upon their escape.
They willingly march around the fire
For forty years they circle it
Then go into the Promised Land
In flesh and blood
Instead of in spirit and in power
Expecting the delight of their Father.
Few there are
Who learn to pray that way:
To command the demons still.
But fewer still
Who whisper
Not my will
But Thine be done
Then willingly open and step inside
The furnace
To embrace the white hot holy
And be consumed.
You may be one of the few
The elite
Who, rather than
War away spiritual giants
Come to test you and make you fit,
Instead, even of positioning armor
Preparing to parry and thrust,
Set it all aside in the wilderness
And allow the pummeling
Without turning cheek to run.
You
Who have suffered in cell
For a Righteous cause;
In bed, in silence
Knowing your Redeemer lives
As you fade to black;
You who have endured in obscurity
As fame and fortune march around you
You
Who have been faithful
Though He slay you
To you,
Faithful,
Will be whispered,
“Well done”.
For you
Is the Crown of Life
Promised
Prepared
Hoisted
Polished
And secured.
“Struggle of the Will” © Barbara Bonnell, 2022
“The Storm” © Angela Hunt @6/28/09