Baptism Of Terence Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

baptized by full immersion in water
three times in a tributary of a river
colloquially known as The Waimak

rural countryside of the Canterbury plains
under a blue sky with golden beams of light
shining down mild afternoon sun blesses

slanting through cold flowing water
like a living golden mystic mantel
light shimmers through living water

baptized after a period of 24 hours
fasting neither eating nor drinking
in solitude solo prayer meditating

praying reading any passages
of the Bible I chose preparing
seeing no one sleeping fasting

step into Waimakariri River
river of cold rushing water
braided wide shingle beds

the hand of God is upon the baptized
it is God’s will his people be baptized
chosen accepting Christ are baptized

Jesus Christ by John was baptized
in Aramaic into Messianic Judaism
you into Christian denominations

one sinner former atheist baptized
one raised in Jesus Christ baptized
believe affirm in faith living beliefs


Copyright © Terence George Craddock