A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Day
 |
| Photo by Maude |
O
look upon the innocent
the
unblemished lamb, slain at twilight
as
God decreed through Moses
See
its blood upon the doorposts, upon the lintel
The
Israelites consume it along with bitter herbs
reminiscent
of affliction
They
eat hurriedly, prepared for departure
loins
girded, sandals on their feet
staff
in hand, the lamb within
Look
upon the foreshadows
see
their hazy shapes coming into focus—
It’s
the Passover of the Lord
God
struck His mighty hand against Egypt
and
the firstborn of man and livestock were slain
As
God looked upon the lamb’s blood
on
the doorposts, on the lintels
He
passed over the Israelite dwellings
and
delivered His chosen, saved
by
the blood of the Lamb
Look
upon the foreshadows
see
their hazy shapes coming into focus—
It’s
the Passover, the Holy Passover of the Lord
O
look upon the Innocent, the Unblemished One
the
Lamb upon the Cross
slain
in unison with other lambs at Passover
See
the crimson Blood trickling down
the
thorn-crowned Face
streaming
from His hands and feet
See
the iron spikes, the gaping stripes
the
Suffering Servant
Oh!
Look into the Eyes of the Lamb
the
Atonement for all sin
It’s
the Passion, the Holy Passion of the Lord
The
Redemptive Lambs
meet
in the foreshadows
Their
shapes come into focus—
They
are One
The
precious Blood
of
the Lamb upon the Cross
redeems
the world—
We
are saved
by
the Blood of the Lamb—
It
is finished. Alleluia!
O
look upon the glorious One
the
Lamb standing as if slain
Hear
the multitudes proclaim—
Worthy is the Lamb Who
was slain
to receive power and
wealth
and wisdom and
strength
and honor and glory
and praise!
...To Him who sits on
the throne
and to the Lamb, be
praise and honor
and glory and power for
ever and ever![1]
Amen
Maude
Carolan
About this poem—
I began writing inspirational poetry,
seriously, in the 1980s. I read, studied, and experimented with writing styles,
trying to find my voice.
Shortly after marrying Leo Carolan, in 1991, I
was sitting at my desk in work at Kearfott in Wayne, NJ, one Friday afternoon,
when a vision of a Lamb upon a cross, momentarily flashed before my eyes. Strangely,
it was a cocoa-colored lamb. Its sad dark eyes looked down and penetrated me. I
knew at that moment I would write a poem about the Lamb upon a cross.
That evening, Leo and I went to the Shabbat
service at Beth Israel Messianic Center, then in Garfield, NJ. I began talking
with a woman I knew, named Elaine. I complimented her on a piece of unique
jewelry she was wearing. It was a gold Star of David with a realistic platinum
lamb affixed over it. She wore it on a chain around her neck. Elaine explained
to me that she had the piece custom made. The Star had a wood-grain design,
which represented the cross to her. There it was, for the second time that day,
the Lamb upon a cross. I immediately knew the poem swirling in my mind would
begin with the lambs in Exodus that were slain at Passover.
Writing the poem was particularly significant because
I strongly felt God’s hand upon me as I wrote. When the draft was finished, I
prepared to show it to Leo to get his opinion. Because this poem was deeply
personal and important, I prayed first and asked God to give me the grace to accept
any criticism he might offer without becoming sensitive or defensive. He asked
me to read the poem to him. As I read aloud, there was one word I suddenly
realized needed to be changed. I waited for Leo’s input. He said he liked it a
lot, but there was just one word he recommended I change. Of course, it was the
very same word. Praise the Lord for the amazing grace He gives. I consider this
poem to be my miracle poem. It is titled, “The Lamb”.
[1] Rev.
5:12-13 (N.I.V.)
Note: The above poem and story appear in my new book, "Behold the Lamb...poetically!" Elm Hill Press. The book is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For more information click on http://maudecarolanpych.com
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