birth of john the baptist

nothing too profound
for
this feast
but these lyrics
from our vespers hymn

when jesus came to jordan
to be baptised by john
he did not come for pardon
but as his father's son
he came to share repentance
with all who mourn their sins
to speak the vital sentence
with which good new begins

he came to share temptation
our utmost woe and loss
for us and our salvation
to die upon the cross
so when the dove descended
on him, the son of man,
the hidden years had ended
the age of grace began

it was liturgically cool
this day to hear
advent themes
an anodyne against
the looming heat of summer

john is my patron saint
i was lucky to be born
on august 29th
feast of the beheading

where women have been a concern
my weakness has been for those
who dance well

lost my head more than once