Sage harbinger of anguish to unfold
The elder held the infant in worn arms
A prophecy met and one more of harm
A sword will pierce your heart the aged man told
She worried a lifetime how it could be
That her sole Son should fall in danger’s way
They lost him on a journey – tortured days
But it a lesser trial for the three
His words and deeds captivated, challenged
Bold acts of light and hope an urgent threat
Royals exacted merciless revenge
Yet for transgressions all He paid the debt
Simeon’s prophecy splayed out to mend
The moment a soul will never forget
Just Sifting 
Awesome poem! So much woven in. I reread it 4 times and each time I walked away with something I missed before. Thanks for sharing and talking the time to put out the message.
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Thanks to YOU for taking the time! I wasn’t sure about these very personal ruminations as a subject , but it’s what I think about too, so it qualifies is a solid slice of me for sure. Thank you.
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This is magnificent. You chose the Pertrarchan format and nailed it. A truly Holy Sonnet, and it has such gravitas. Artful allusions, bold imagery, intense emotional and spiritual presence. Thrilled to read this.
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Well yours was the inspiration for this one, so- there you go! Mutual admiration abounds! Thank you for your affirmations- they mean a great deal, indeed.
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Such powerful writing and vivid imagery. What a great poem to capture such a sacrifice!
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Thank you so much. It’s a hefty topic, that’s for certain. I was daunted myself, but it kind of took on a life of it’s own!
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Love the braver of this poem. So much here to listen to and think about. Thank you for posting it.
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Beautiful, Deb, just beautiful. Between you and Paul I am humbled by the beauty with which you wield words.
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The feeling is mutual. I am often in awe at the tremendous slices you post about things that I KNOW only happened that day. In other words – you are able to compose stellar pieces with very little time at hand to do so. It is always a treat to step behind each other’s lens to see what is ruminating below the surface in our lives. Always a privilege – always a surprise – always delightful.
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