angels – Kate Bluett

How often did you wake and weep,
admitting you were not enough
to hedge the days and guard the sleep
of those, above all else, you loved?

And if you slept, to drown in dreams
disastrous as the ancient flood,
that echoed with imagined screams
while you stuck helpless in the mud?

But there were angels in the night—
like sentinels the watch they kept
and filled the broken hours with light,
until at last you sank and slept

or rose in haste—and did they show
a flame by night, a cloud by day
to lead you by the quickest road
to Egypt, where his safety lay?

Then, Joseph, when I wake at night
and sleep and peace are both far off,
keep watch with me to see the light
while I, like you, am not enough.

O father of the living lord,
I am not strong; I am not brave.
Keep those I love from fire and sword;
lend me the help your angels gave. Amen.

The shepherds keep watch on the hillside,
and shout as the night sky is torn:
An army comes out of the midnight,
but see! They are bending their swords.
For this is the host of God's angels,
who perfectly follow his word.
Their general now lies in a manger,
and all of the earth shall be turned.

The sword that barred Adam from Eden
shall harrow the thorn-woven ground,
preparing the earth to receive him
who sleeps in Eve's daughter's arms now.
For this is the weapon of doomsday,
more power than any can tell:
That God should let death e'er consume him
will shatter the strongholds of hell.

The shepherds sink down in amazement
and cover their eyes and their ears,
and still they are pierced by the angels
with song beyond all they can hear.
For this is the army of heaven
arrayed in its orders and ranks,
who knows that the word has been given,
and all of the earth shall give thanks.

So now they call all to the manger;
the trumpet sounds out the advance
to follow their lord and commander,
surrender to hammer and lance.
The shepherds rise up at the summons,
give heed to their orders and run
to worship God dwelling among us
and tell that all warfare is done.

Rembrandt Annunciation to the shepherds – http://www.facebook.com, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50707534

Category: angels

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The Army of Heaven