Touch Me Not? Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

don't touch
soul that star throbs stalker
past hearings' ear

don't touch
star dust plasma burns
spirit must bear

don't touch
light speed space stretches
probe infinite spear

don't touch
evolving dust constellations
thought born clear


although the doors
were locked, Jesus stood in their midst
and said, “May You have peace! ”

then he said to Thomas,
“Put your fingers
here, and see my hands,

and take your hand
and stick it into my side!
Stop being unbelieving

but become believing.... John 20: 26-29


some unbelieving Jews
came from Antioch and Iconium
they persuaded won over the crowds

and they stoned Paul
and dragged him outside the city,
imaging he was dead

(for he was stoned unto death?)

but as the disciples
gathered around him he rose up
and entered back into the city

and on the next day
he left with Barbabas for Derbe
(for Christ defeated death for us) Acts 14: 19-20

after proclaiming
the Good News in that city
and making many into disciples...

strengthening the souls of disciples
encouraging them to remain true to the faith
reminding them it is through many hardships

we must enter into the Kingdom of God
appointing elders for them in every congregation
Paul and Barbabas offering prayer with fasting

committed them to the Lord
in whom they had become believers Acts 14: 21-23
(in whom they entrusted their immortal souls)


In whom will you
entrust your immortal soul
even unto death?


Copyright © Terence George Craddock