Firesong Poem by Peter Eliastam

Tonight, Your flock, small band of lovers
On the Rock rejoice, our voices in Your voice,
Our choices in Your choice, within the wildworld
Wilting in the heat. We beat the heartbeat of the
Fireborn community, love’s lilting song of unity.
We sing Your firesongs, our battlebright
Magnificats fresh from the coals, our flesh
Consigned to burning yet our souls unburnt.
Feet shod in flame, our Father God, we tread among
The dying and the dead. We make our
Bed in hell, but high on hope of heaven, take
Our rest. Your Holy Spirit frees us to release our
Best, our branded lyrics manifest Your peace,
Make wars to cease. Past understanding, Jesus,
Barely understood,
The evil and the good bow to Your landing.
Firebird of Glory! Dove and Eagle, great “I AM, ”
You are Zion’s Boychild! Lion-Lamb above all men;
The God of man and Man of God, both meek
And regal: Son of Joy
And Sorrow, Scion of our jubilant tomorrow.
Love-struck, Your lovers on the wing sing new
Desire songs, while furies strike the anvils of
Our hearts. Flame forth our faith upon the forge
For minions of the dark
Have hurled their havoc on the flood, and vultures
Gorge themselves on blood and mire. Come, our
Marvellous Messiah! Spread Your pinions to the dawn!
Kiss death to life, breathe living breath through us
To those who mourn,
Their lessons learning, yet unlearnt.
Forlorn creation yearning, groaning, burning till
The Sons of God are freed. Sow living seed in Word
And deed by revelation. Captivate the nation
With Your face.
O Lord, reveal Your glory to the human race
In standing, uniplural grace, demanding history’s ovation!
Small band of lovers on the wing tonight –
We wend our homeward flight with wounds –
Messiah’s down-and-outs, pariahs, outcasts on the fling,
We ring the racing skies, embracing one another
In our cries down hurtling hells. O Halleluyah!
We bring mercy to the fallen there, and freedom in
The All-in-One, the All-in-All, Almighty Son of God.
How odd that men should see the Morning Star
Who languish far down deepest wells, yet odder still
That You should use us in our weakness at this final hour,
Your elevating power concealed in meekness and travail.
You wept for Israel, and still weeping, watch
Upon the hill with those who, rising from
Their sleep, will keep a tryst with You tonight,
Surprising King. Your kingdom is a kingdom of surprises.
You come to earth in manifold disguises, hold in
Your hand a wedding band of gold. The half has not
Been told. Thief-like in the night
You steel our unbelief away, and make us laugh!
You are our other half!