Such Knowledge (Psalm 139:6)

Such Knowledge (Psalm 139:6)

By Jonathan Bennett

John, still warm in his mother's womb, leapt up;
Joseph took unto himself one with child;
Zechariah prophesied while naming;
    Such knowledge was too wonderful for them.


Elisabeth was honored by a guest;
Anna prophesied of His redemption;
And Mary, Mary pondered in her heart;
    Such knowledge was too wonderful for them.


But what of myself in this season,
Am I moved as such by the old story?
Do I truly comprehend who He is?
    Is such knowledge too wonderful for me?

Watching, By Night

Watching, By Night

By Jonathan Bennett

Bundled in coat and gloves or barefoot in the grass,
I stand beneath the past, unfolded like a map,
Tracing the boundaries of celestial nations.
I observe in cold, still or humid evening air.
I watch as battles begin, end, and rage anew;
I see foretellings of kings rising, falling, and born
As their heralds travel along this starry grid.
And I listen, beneath the howl of winter's wind
Or over chorus of summer's nocturnal choir,
To hear the song that shepherds heard: watching, by night.

Decrease

Decrease

By Jonathan Bennett

It sounds humble, and they believe it is;
Because, I'm the God-talker, one chosen
To be, somehow, unlike, to be holy
And beyond such green envy jealousy.
Maybe they need me to be. To be a
Hero they can emulate but, likely,
I'll just be an ideal that's an excuse.
What I should say: He makes me retch, rage,
And want to sit back waiting for him to
Fail, for the cheers to turn to angry chants
Just before the crowd humbles him just like
His Presence has humiliated me.