Contradicted

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
—Luke 2:22-35

The light that breaks upon us shall be broken
itself, its shards in darkness be consumed.
The Word that spoke us shall be counter-spoken,
in hush entombed.

And you, untouched by sin, should be untroubled:
You shall be punished, pierced through by a sword.
A mother’s heart has all its sorrows doubled:
His you will hoard.

But, Lord, my eyes have looked upon salvation,
nor have you hidden it from nation’s sight,
and I can go with no more hesitation
into the night,

for there the shards of glory shall be hidden,
and in that silence still the Word awaits
as I have waited, as I go there: bidden,
and none too late.

This child and I shall go, as we are mortal.
Our night will fall, our hungry grave will yawn,
and he shall make it speak, make night a portal
that leads to dawn!

He is the Word, the same that you’re fulfilling
in filling my arms with him.  My long nights cease.
Dismiss me now, as I have long been willing.
I go in peace.