ALUMNI POETRY
All Things
by Joe Carlson
Love gently spoke: Come, taste and see.
My stoney heart was cold,
These lies had all been told;
What can there be in this for me?
All things, said He.
You surely jest. What is the fee?
What price must I soon pay
Or mountain climb someday?
Nothing can or will for me be free.
All things, said He.
Just ask, said Love, and you will see.
But all my pride within
Clung closer to my sin;
My heart refused to make the plea.
All things, said He.
Love said to Love, let it be Me.
I will descend and live
A man, my flesh to give.
How rich Love’s mercy then could be.
All things, said He.
Thy grave, said Love, belongs to me.
I will lay down beside
Thy wretched, sin-cursed hide.
What can that do? was my query.
All things, said He.
26 THE COMMONS
The cringing cry of agony.
A final, trusting breath,
The mournful tones of death.
For certain sure, this cannot be.
All things, said He.
A failed tomb, Life raised and free.
My broken heart of stone
Lies next to each dry bone.
What can be done with this debris?
All things, said He.
The sun upon my eyes, they see!
A man before me stands
With blood upon His hands
What has been done to set me free?
All things, said He.
Love gently speaks: Come, taste and see.
With tears I take the food:
His body and His blood.
What more Lord can You give to me?
All things, said He.
My heart made soft, Thy melody
Has worked a wonder here:
I once scorned what now is dear.
And now I gladly give of me
All things for Thee.
JOE CARLSON is 2005 NSA alumnus.