Eternal Sacrifice

Oaken door swung sudden  shut
 Mutes time’s persistent knock, 
And leads like ancient portal
Into hushed immortal space - 
Vast Eternity hidden, 
Infusing 
 Silent incense rising. 

I, time’s traveler, 
Invited guest, from
 byway and highway 
To the Lamb’s high feast. 
Breathe heady air of Heaven, no longer 
That of earth.
And yet, am not afraid.  

Divinity treads this holy ground, 
 Gathers ashes of centuried-prayers 
And stirs them into flame.
All times are here within this finite space, 
To watch and wait. 
King’s fate, eternally offered in
Echoes of mercy’s sweet, though somber song.

Creep martyrs close to Champion’s feet 
To kiss the rubied wine of sacrifice 
With which they are inebriate. 
Virgins, gentle, meek, who cry 
In white hot - ecstatic innocence,
 “My Beloved, come!”
Fathers, hushed. Doctors close their books.
Holy Men and Holy Women drift
Where crucified draws all things
to Self.  
His Mother there, always where 
He is, 
Whispering still her Fiat
  Her eternal Yes. 

To ancient altar they have come
To wait, to watch, to sing.
To shore up me, poor pilgrim 
Awkward in my praise.
Waiting, hushed, 
swift intake 
 breath,
The murmured words of priest to
Glorious orient:
This  my Body, this  my blood.
Given up for him, for her, and us, and thee. 
Do this, do this, do this: echoes down the centuries.

In memory of Me.