Myrrh
Oft in the woodland, I follow you
Winged to the prairie on icey panes;
Thorny veins wrap around white-wash cedars-
soaked acacia that drank the black on filthy snow.
Please watch, O’ Dove till dew melts
this plump ardorous heart
anxious for your presence.
Wind in trees- breath of olive fruit,
Snowy path-the ivory lap upon which I plead
A sculling heat in Equatorial flame-
Desperately, I cling to your robe
I dote for correction, a love sting!
But, oh! my soul is refreshed
while piercing embers die
in the incense of your forfeit;
tongues of fragrance that
kissed my image-now yours, at so
Great a cost.
Author notes
As inspired by Khalil Gibran.
About Myrrh: (Brought to us, courtesy of Dictionary.com)
See link-- dictionary.reference.com/search?q=myrrh
First mentioned as a principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil (Ex. 30:23). It formed part of the gifts brought by the wise men from the east, who came to worship the infant Jesus (Matt. 2:11). It was used in embalming (John 19:39), also as a perfume (Esther 2:12; Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17).
It was a custom of the Jews to give those who were condemned to death by crucifixion "wine mingled with myrrh" to produce insensibility. This drugged wine was probably partaken of by the two malefactors, but when the Roman soldiers pressed it upon Jesus "he received it not" (Mark 15:23).
This was the gum or viscid white liquid which flows from a tree resembling the acacia, found in Africa and Arabia, the Balsamodendron myrrha of botanists. The "bundle of myrrh" in Cant. 1:13 is rather a "bag" of myrrh or a scent-bag.
Notice the belief propagation of this expensive and rare herbal sap from birth to the death of Christ.
Written January 2nd, 2005
In a list
A contest entry
- Can You Write a Psalm? by CountryCousin.
600 points, ended May 10, 2005, 5 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 22 of 22
-
This is a rather stunning write. I enjoyed it very much...not only for the beauty of the poem itself, but also for the informational quality of the notes. I appreciate your work. God Bless you.
LIZ -
Fine write
This is really well written and does remind me pretty much of what David also likes in the works that he reads in the bible. I knew it was embalming but you did put this into words so well. A truly fine write and thank you for entering it. -
Yeesh. Very nicely done. Being someone who isn't the most horrifyingly religious individual in the world, I must admit that even I enjoyed this.
-
I love the word usage, really captures the reader. The structure of the poem is great, flows very well. I felt entranced by your words here...still lingering in my mind.
-
Brilliance TRUE GOLD.
~Brilliance in your muse and your divine lights that shine so brightly, our beloved Cooke Zeal ~I would have been here much sooner but i have my limits even in reality. This song spoke directly to my heart and soul. As you already know I deeply enjoy each, word you Penn from the shores of our Lords Eternal and Divine Heaven. This is what i feel in your song of pure brilliance as shinning lights for all of humanity to feel and deeply believe. ~The Key~ I Corinthians 6:14 KjV "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” As we sing as one from our lonely towers. ~Jesus Defeated Death~ I Corinthians I 5:55 KJV, "O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory?” Namaste Blessed Be to you and your world family eternally, I am so sorry i am so slow in getting back to you my beloved touched cookie zeal. But when you find the time i would sure like to know the true meaning behind ~Red Snows~ as i send you a thousand kisses now and when you rise in the arms of the oceans so vast and deep in your divine wings of eternal sight and inner peace. I promise you i will read you every day of the week. I love your background images they are stunning and have a whisper of heavenly mists in the foreground that i feel in your love that abounds all around. ~Love & Light Sharon~
-
Thank you for this profound muse! Although I didn't comprehend its depths, one need not understand a masterpiece to appreciate it! Hence, I am truly appreciative; thank you...! Also, the perfume of which you referred to in Ester is interesting; since Hadassah “Queen ESTHER” born abt. 514 B.C. (at Shushan Palace, Persia) is my Ggggggggg(way-back)grd-mother... You have much that I can learn from; I must read more of your exquisite and enchanting muses!
-
Good write, written in an older style I'm most comfortable with.
-
Ah a fellow Gibran fan. I found a very old copy of "The Prophet" at the Illiad (a book store near where I live) and I swooped. I've been a changed woman ever since.
At any rate I am also not often surprised by the quality of anyones work and you've done just that with this peice. I can't wait to dig into your other works... -
Ohhhhhh my. I'm very moved by the negative/positive visual in that portion of the poem. Where God's truth is, there are so many layers and as many believers...to each a special gifted concept. Thank you for sharing that and I'm so glad you enjoyed.
Edited on Feb 20, 9:26 p.m. because ''. -
I loved this. It isn't pushy or too gospel. It's a wonderful dedication to Christ. I really loved the imagery---it seems like you're describing a negative ("white-washed cedars" & "the black on filthy snow"). I see this strange winter scene of a baptism in the snow. Anyway, I think this is beautiful.
-K -
I appreciate your time to read, comment and critique and think I agree with your thoughts on the last line. A little shelf life might prove it to be good for altering or changing.
We'll see. Thank you!!! Again.................
-
I really liked this, but wasnt too sure about the last verse? although I think the whole flow of it was really good, I havnt read any of your works for a while as genrally I just comment when mine get commented on, i guess Im just lazy like that? anyway glad to see your still writing and hope your new year has begun brightly, take care
-
one of the spices of eternal life that graced the baby jesus cradle and perhaps his own precious body, much like baby powder today, brought by kings who stood in awe of innocence made human and sent to teach and then make sacrifice for all....lovely poem....Artis
-
WOW Awesome!
i love the insight and inspiration this was based upon
and that you could pull such lovely pictures and rhytm from it
God knew you would portray His word lovely-it's one of your gifts
glad i read this
ash -
mmm... Beautiful! In my Jewish studies this is one ingredient that I did study! Very signifigant symbolism and you brought that out wonderously, here.
-
Thanks, bud. You've been such an avid reader and faithful in this literary course. I appreciate your time and, your second reads.
-
Just reading.
-
touching
i was amazed to see that you wrote about my favorite scten: myrrh. while i am not a religious person, this was still amazing. i could feel the devotion you have in your life to Jesus, and i admire it greatly. his sacrifice was obviously very important to you, and you have made a wonderful poem as a tribute. this was a beautifully penned work of art. the images of trees, and a savior were fantastic. another wonderfully written piece. -cate -
Kudos
the delicate fragrance in itself stiff amazes me when I am instilled with a candle that has the myrrh on it....
a beautiful and inspiring poem that tributes the loves of Jesus for us and the glory we hold back to him
Tamara
-
Brilliant!!!
The effervescent taste of nature squelches with honesty here. The noble craft of letting nature take hold of a poets remorse, takes course in a pathway travel of mixes, the natural path lost causes go, when trying to get things sorted, are confused, and things of nature take place to answer them. And should I say, love was on their mind!! -
An absolutely superb poem. Elegance, freshness, vision, imagination...it's all there.
I've read most of your poems, Cookie, and this is the best of your's I've ever read.
Thank you. -
Divinely Ours
Dearest Dianne -
This poem made me tremble with recognition ... Oh, dearest One, what can I say? How my name was written in myrrh ... sanctification, embalmed in Love! How his Name covered mine with intense purification ... How I pour myself into Him and He into me ... Myrrha!
Thank you, dearest Heart, for leading me here ... You reminded me of our fragrant Divinity ...
Deeply spiritual, as only YOU can pen His inspiration.
Love
Myra
Adding your comment:
1 - 22 of 22
11 old applause
