When you did come, O God

triumphant to Jerusalem,

what of longing or of grief

mingled with the shouts

that long ago were owed

to their great king?

–

And how serene and strong

the Fire and Zeal of Bethlehem

consistent as the turning earth

walked and whipped and worked

pointing them to heaven

and their king!

–

All while the fickle, cloying crowd

made faith professions into air,

set like flint You stayed the course

and bore the traitors’ kiss

to die the death for those who

would not know their king.

–

So may I come O God

triumphant in your deathless life

to feel and fill within myself

the sufferings that You endured

and, patient, live in braveness

for my King.