The Beginning

The Beginning
By Jonathan Bennett


And in a moment, everything had changed.
His feet continued to trouble the dust
Though the print left behind was no longer the same.
The Word-Made-Flesh was, for them, Word again
To be enfleshed by those taking within.
Living fire in Him became part of them,
But flesh cannot contain the burning joy.
The fire was unleashed and its spread began.
And by its guiding light we can find Him.

Wind and Fire

Wind and Fire
By Jonathan Bennett


If I close my eyes when I feel the wind
I can imagine your touch on my skin.
It is not the same as having you here.
The wind that comes to wrap itself 'round me
Cannot comfort me as well as your arms.
But if I inhale the wind like a breath
It's as if I'm taking you inside me.
And I'm not alone because you are here.
We have become one, whole and complete.
As I breathe I begin to understand
That the bowels of the tomb remain vacant,
That I have not been abandoned by

      You.

If I close my eyes when I feel the fire
I can remember warmth from touching you.
It's not the same as lying 'gainst you.
But I can feel your fire within me,
Burning as I could feel it from your breast.
And when we speak it's as if the fire spreads
Igniting you in everyone list'ning.
And it's as if you were here with me
But not only one but hundreds of you
With arms like yours, with hearts beating like yours.
There is a new beginning in this fire,
A fire I can kindle with just your
                                                  Word.

Ascent(ion)

Ascent(ion)
By Jonathan Bennett


They left us just as He left us, long ago
(Perhaps that is why "Tricky Dick" confused them);
Though, their return was scheduled, and His unknown.
But maybe I can stretch the analogy:
As each went from their own world to a lesser—
One in crescent shadow, the other the Form.
But the three returned along a narrow way,
And we are still looking, still waiting for Him.

Flesh and Word

Flesh and Word
By Jonathan Bennett


In the ending, there are only your words.
No arms that can embrace me when I reach;
No body to rest mine against at table.
Only words spoken as you left me, us,
Which are already lost on evening's breath.
And this, in your great wisdom, should suffice?
Can these words heal me when I have fallen
Into the dusty earth to be trampled.
Can they show the love I've seen in your eyes
When I left fam'ly and friend far behind?
Can mere words touch me the same as your hands
When the Night comes again to surround?
                                                                 No.


You have abandoned the one who you loved.
This time there'll be no empty sepulcher,
No news astonishing from the women.
You have gone to sit in some paradise
Where no high mountain, no ladder can reach.
You cursed me for timeless separation
Until you decide to return again.
And you never said a word of goodbye.
You have deprived me of my heart's desire,
The only presence I have ever craved.
You have left me longing with only words
That, somehow, are to take the place of
                                                             You.