Once on a day of Joyful Beauty and air pristine
I happened on the trail, at Jordan'sBanks, where our Lord had trod,
And saw there in the stony edge agleam
The footprints of his nail-pierced feet upon the sod.
Along the shore of Galilee's coast
A fishing boat with sides weathered by the tempest's blast
Lay anchored now in quiet repose
Silent witness to the Stormy past.
Onward down the River Valley green
The Footprints led to Bethany
And on the way an opened Tomb
Whose owner rose as beckoned lovingly.
On across the western plains to Sychar's well
That Jacob dug for all to quench a thirst
The prints paused briefly for a Woman Lost
Mixed there with others who came as did the first.
Quite steady on the prints led to the Temple Mount
Where tables, overturned in fury hot,
At which the money changers made their count
And fled the Master's blistering reproach of all their lot.
Straight on the steps led through the narrow Way
To Pilate's seat foreboding, proud and dark,
Past judgment seat where Peter thrice on that last Day
Denied his love for Christ and missed the mark.
Now haltingly they merge on Dolorosa's rocky lane
Where Jesus bore His heavy cross alone
Up Calvary's granite slopes of Crimson Stain
Where last He bled and for our sin atoned.
From out the tomb in Garden fair and sweet
The prints led on to Glory high and Great
And up beyond the heavens' pearl-decked gates
He now commands the hearts of all of Faith.
(St. Peter's, Statesville, Easter,2009)
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem