the sunday after the epiphany: the baptism of our lord

"in the midst of life we are in death; of whom may we seek for succour but of thee, o lord, who for our sins is justly displeased?"

i sit on the edge of the valley
brimful with brown bare ruined choirs
winter cold winter dead.

the ground below packed skeletons
of dead creatures of the deep.
on the first day the spirit of the lord brooded
over them.
this first day they are shrouded with oak mould,
jordan's waters a memory ancient and legendary.
yet here begins the gospel of jesus
christ the son of god:
jesus comes to the jordan to be baptized.

"we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

i have brought bits of potatoes thinking
to feed the birds,
but winter's wind has frozen them hard as
the limestone.
therefore sit i only,
and watch.

"he shall feed his flock like a shepherd."

in the midst of this death there is
yet life:
flickers and cardinals and nuthatches
have found a table prepared.
they fly through the deep of
light on this first day.

"grant to us who are still in our pilgrimate, and who walk as yet by faith, that having served thee with constancy on earth, we may be joined hereafter with thy blessed saints in glory everlasting."

(quotes are from the burial office of the book of common prayer 1928).