The Rose of Sharon

When you were with us, how beautiful you were.
How you were our delight
How much more now are you your Beloved’s.

When He sent you among us, how it grieved Him to be parted from you
Now He is comforted, and we, bereaved.

And when He stole you away
It was at the urging of children
It was with a company of horses
All known to you by name
By hand
By heart
By muzzle...

Creatures of the Breath indeed
Neither Pharaoh’s chariot nor Hagar’s tent
Nor all the earth
Was fit for them
And they stamped their feet
Imploring until
Like a Lion, He slipped into that other camp
And escaped with the Rose of Sharon.

I heard Him say to thee...
“Thou are beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah
Comely as Jerusalem
Terrible as an army with banners...
As a lily among the thorns, so is my Beloved among the daughters...”
                        (Song of Songs)
Neither could He bear her death
So was she stolen.





                5/91  For Joyce Gregorian Hampshire