by Paul Burdett
A rush of mighty wings, as oil drips from his hair to fall to the dark
ground at his feet.
A watcher of flocks becomes the anointed of the Lord, his dark eyes filled
with awe and determination as the Spirit rushes upon him.
A broad valley, soldiers stand waiting across a distance that now seems so
close, as close as death.
The giant of a Philistine emerges from their ranks, while young lithe
David steps from the ranks of the Chosen.
Armed with only a sling and the raw power of God, he picks five smooth
stones from the ground, from the dust.
The giant of a man lays at the feet of the shepherd boy, one who composes
sweet songs about the power and majesty of the Most High.
Another young man walks by the River Jordan, He who is the Lamb but also
the Shepherd.
The Spirit also has rushed upon Him, His hair dripping with water from
John's baptism.
He has taken up His weapon, His own flesh.
The five smooth stones shall be the five wounds upon His body, wounds that
let out His life-blood, the blood of the only Son of God.
An empty tomb, a burial cloth that once wrapped a dead, lifeless body.
Goliath, the bringer of death, again lies at the feet of David. For
Christ, a Son of David with the blood of the Resurrection flowing in His
veins, has conquered death and sin, for they are no more.
A convert to the Faith from Lutheranism, Paul Burdett has been writing poetry for 12 years. He draws inspiration from the psalms as well as the Liturgy of the Hours. Paul is director of development for Catholic Exchange and lives outside of Philadelphia with his wife, Cindy and their two children. You can reach Paul by email at pburdett@catholicexchange.com.
