Quaker Life won an award this year at the Associated Church Press conference! We received an Honorable Mention fora poem by Franchot Ballinger of Eastern Hills Friends Meeting.Here’s the poem:
Awakened in the Word “We awaken in Christ’s body….” —Symeon the New Theologian
A few sank in prayer. One paced a silent anger. Another wept. All lost in dark’s skull. No one spoke except in a cry up to himLike a hand beseeching, a longing. His face was ashen, the flame of each miracle At which we had warmed ourselves— Water to wine, walking on the sea, Artesian springs of quenching love— Having burned down to this. I am the Way, He said, but surely he did not mean This guttering air, these Tatters of light upon the cross, Shroud of our own agony And our sorrow Like a curtain rent. In his eyes’ last light we knew His flesh, his death, now ours Be born again, he said. This knowing… Is it womb or grave?
The judge from the Poetry category of submissions commented: “Readers will strongly identify with this beautifully written poem and its emotional impact. The last line brings to mind the similar thought in one of my favorite poems – Eliot’sJourney of the Magi.”
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