(Click here to follow Pavel's ongoing epic poem “The Shoulder of the Sun.” You may visit Pavel's website at http://www.greyowlpress.com.)
by Pavel Chichikov
A great room spanned a cosmos long
All creatures in their being-hood
Praised Jesus throned, both God and Man –
Toward the back of it I stood
Among the congregation and their song,
Their shapes, their many prayers, their tongues
Their music harmonized to one
Meeting harmony, one over-curving tone
I stood apart in grieving till I cried
‘I have been overcome by death'
And though the universe had fit inside
That hall He heard my voice, my veritable breath
The Love who sat before us said:
‘I hear distress and terror call –
Come forward and be comforted
I know the one as I know all
‘Come forward as you please
Within the masses of My souls –
You will pass by a billion centuries
Between your starting place and goal
‘And still have pavement left to cross'
‘Then how to reach You, precious King,
I am bitter-weak and lack true being'
‘Come forward soul and be not lost
‘For I have made a sweet elide
Surpassing even your mortality –
Love abreviates eternity
And makes death fit inside your stride'