Free

For it was not with perishable things -
With things like silver

(Even moon-silver
Impaling night, redeeming darkness, bringing peace
When it is at the full, enthroned, and then -
As weeks pass, being swallowed up in night)

No, it was not with perishable things,
With things like silver or like gold

(Even sun-gold
That touches ugly concrete buildings, gives
Them beauty, and redeems the cityscape,
And brings me joy and reverence and awe -
And fades to darkness)

Not with perishable things
Like gold or silver that you were redeemed

(Not moon-silver, not sun-gold,
Much less by means of heavy minerals
Cold, hard-won from the cold, hard earth,
From which we also once were raised - then fell
And brought a curse upon the groaning ground -
And nothing out of it can now redeem)

From slavery to the empty way of life
Inherited from your forefathers; no,
But with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb
Without a blemish
And from defects
Free.

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This material is copyright 1988, 1998 to Mike McMillan. Use for profit is reserved to the author unless otherwise arranged.