THOUGH I BE A CAST SHEEP AND SCORNED

you can keep your mirage of non being

at home in the temple of no flowers and few bells

I prefer Christ on the sea of galilee

calming the storm

though I be a cast sheep and scorned

who said, be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world

the world, he said where his heart was torn

the one that frightened us as children

and then, year to year

then as children with taller shadows

whither shall I flee

from Thy Spirit?

oh Divine mystery

so near at hand

in the breaking of bread

and the lines in the sand.

mary angela douglas 21 january 2023