Some Older Stuff

A Prayer for Judas
"inter pontem et fontem..."
Judas, the coins flung away he'd been given for a kiss,
In despair went off and sought the suicide's abyss.

Around his neck sad Judas arranged a snake of rope
And stepped into the darkness of those devoid of hope.

I pray the God of Jesus allowed His Judas light
In that eternal instant before the noose jerked tight--

And pray such grace be granted to each of us at our end
Who still live on as traitors with silver yet to spend.


Birthday Prayer
September 1998
On the Psalmist's page it simply reads,
"Three score years and ten."
Of my life sixty years are past
And will not come again.

And so, perhaps, I've ten years left--
Only half a Scripture score--
Yet time enough, I say, by God,
To learn a little more.

But then I think in my old way,
What else have I to learn?
I know by now how near is death,,
How quick short candles burn.

Oh, Author of that Bible page,
If ten more years I live,
What knowledge known to You alone
Have I to fear you'll give?


Timepiece
Growing old my body grows thin.
My heavy watch on its metal links
Slips down around my slender wrist
And turns its darkened face from me.

With a shake I make it again
Upright on my lifted left hand.
The numbers properly in place,
I see how late I soon shall be.

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