The Everlasting Spring

Why do we rush the coming of the Spring?
Do we so soon forget that Winter's deaths must be?
Though bleak and grey we wait and sing
In radiant faith to Thee.

But we, in this transient world, born and bred
Seek meaning on expeditious paths
First trod by this world's wise, now dead.
They who heeded words apart from those the Master said.

Why do we dread the dying
And cling to thirsting weeds?
Shriveled, withered, brown, brittle lives
For which we sell our souls to irrigate.

But we, in this shallow world, born and bred
Seek joy on roads well worn
By the feet of the many, now dead.
They who heeded words divergent from those the Master said.

Life's hope lies secret in the dying self
As Spring without a Winter waits.
The glorious New requires a coffin
Full of old.

One love means the loss of two selves
Children are fruit from that one love -
A Covenant .... shared, multiplied, fulfilled.

But we, in this natural world, born and bred
Seek life on paths tramped flat
By the would-be clever, now dead.
Who heeded forbidden words, not those the Master said.

Let us not too early pick the flower, and
While in dying Winter longing for escape, forsake our reason.
But wait in joy
The resurection
The new creation
The Love
Intended for the fullness of the season.

Let you and I
In love and friendship
Scorn the path that 'seemeth right,'
And walk the Way of life.

Self and all its own designs
And how-it-ought-to-bes
May with winter die away.
But we in Him
Awake all new
In the everlasting Spring.

Oh blessed we! now Spirit creatures, newly born and bred
Who ever seek the city whose Light is God,
By faith do reckon self, now dead.
And happily hold and do those words the Master said.