Poem: Northern Wind (Inspired by a prayer from Thomas A Kempis)

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.