I came across a prayer of Thomas A Kempis in my daily devotional reading recently.
In his prayer he asks that God would ‘command the winds and tempests of
pride to cease.’ The idea of the winds,
metaphorically representing our struggle with sin of all types, resonated. In this poem you will journey with one who
sees the winds, and indulges desire in the midst of their torrent. His indulgence leaves him dashed on the altar
of his own desire.
Yet, this is not the end of the story. She ‘lives again’ to face the ‘winds a howl’
that seek to leave him battered and bruised.
In this moment she is found by hope and rests within the enshrinement of
God and the freedom found in the safe harbor He provides. While you will note the tragic and deeply
painful exploration of our desires improperly aligned, the ultimate aim of the
poem is one of hope bound in God’s presence.
Northern Wind
Northern wind sweeps closely by
Swagger near my heart;
Swooned by its tempestuous song.
Body entangled
Captivated;
Time does creep, creep
Idly by.
Tic, tic - tock along.
Mind gratified
Such tempest knows
No line it dare not cross.
Once tingling, now burning through
I wreak the stench of loss.
The power of its crippling crush
Lay me dashed on my desire.
Wreckage beneath
though naught is heard
stifled is its cry.
Weakly strained sadness now felt
Self loathe born forth in fire.
It warms until it burns me whole;
Less human I become.
The warmth I sought now found me out
Swept deep into this Northern wind;
Its fury leaves me numb.
O Northern wind, stay your course;
Blow not closely by my stride.
For in your song, your sweet, sad song
Leaps one's heart for joy.
To be dashed, entangled now;
In dance best left untried.
Your brutal force is known by all
Swept in your wind a howl.
Yet if I live
to live again
wholly human in your gale;
To protect my inner self,
Will I?
Or there I be deceived?
Indeed your wind will blow once more
There
hope I pray to find.
I land safe harbor,
Refuge,
Respite.
I Am
A soul enshrined!
Pining no more
Kept
holy warm;
Peace
embodied.
Deep!
Within me.
Once thought forsaken
Enfolded now.
Splendor grows;
Yet by degree.
