mystical body


by Jonathan Hunter-Kilmer

warm mist my breath

in cold

and incense

rise

before my eyes

upraised my spirit

eyes cast down

and kneel with gladdened sighs

such aromatic

as Your breath

and warm

substance of prayer

a hand-made

representative

my Lover

always there

Sweet, as Your scent

collects my thoughts

and calms

though I am thrilled

the touch of You

reaches out through

all else

is all

but killed

and lanced

from heart to mind

and down

through with

Your passion's shaft

I rise

supine

reborn

complete

as milk cow that has calfed

the white-gold glow

of smoke

and smell

that thickens

empty air

is vision felt

I, Love,

have knelt

embraced by You who share

the moment's sigh

the desperate cry

the yield of innocence

I offer You

I drink

You strew

with flowers, grapes You sent

and bread You laid

as in a maid

You lived

before her died

I drink and eat

Beloved, complete

with blood run from Your side

I emptying

my life will sing

with voice Your Spirit gave

and fill

eternity

with You

Who emptied every grave

embrace I now

Your Kingdom how

Your intimacy live

You showed the glow

so long ago

my weakness You forgive

Beloved

receive

my soul reprieved

Your bride the world forsakes

in wine so sweet

and bread life-deep

eternity partakes

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