Poetry from the Cabin 01/28/2024

A Villanelle Based on Chapter 3 of As Kingfishers Catch Fire by Eugene Peterson

God said, and it was so, and it was good
Thus was born a place for habitation
Creation placed in order by the Word

Creative purpose God only understood
His image in the dust of earth was graven
God said, and it was so, and it was good

Temptation humankind could not endure
Oceanic tides of warring nations
Awaiting, among us to walk, the Word

Yet even then in human neighborhoods
In desolate places—echoes in creation
God said, and it was so, and it was good

Glory shrouded as by a darkened hood
In stable born—Heaven’s invasion
Enfleshed, among us dwelling was the Word

He walked and talked and dwelt that we all should
Dwell in heaven on earth as His relations
God said, and it was so, and it was good
Enfleshed, among us dwelling is the Word