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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Love (04/27/06)
Our songs had been bright and vibrant thus far, filling the air and floating over us like multi-colored banners snapping in the breeze. Simple melodies we sang from our hearts as declarations of our glorious pilgrimage, and joyous announcements of our religious zealotry and purpose.

Up the mountain we traversed, around the winding trail to the summit. Praise songs and rousing anthems we offered together and in harmony. We reveled that the joy of unity was our strength, giving Him pleasure too.

At the crest of the hill we spotted our savior’s perch for the first time, and the starkness of it stifled our praise offering. We dropped our banners in the dust, and in shock stood speechless.

A new theme rumbled from the depths of our being. It began low and gained strength as it took over our emotions. First it troubled the waters in of our feelings, then it rushed upward, ravished our hearts, destroyed our inhibitions and cares. It moved quickly to our mouths.

Oh Love! Open arms extending from that rough cruel cross!
Calling, begging me!
Embrace me, all!
I must answer, all of me, or answer not at all!

There it was the true cross, stark and bare, terrible in its cruelty. It terrified my soul, and weakened my knees.

Oh Love! A cursed and splintered tree exposing naked pain!
I open wide for you,
Take me, hide me, all!
I must answer, all of me, or answer not at all!

We ran, urgently, frantically, toward its ugliness, tripping over rocks, scrambling to rise again and regain our footing after each bruising fall. Arms encircled the cruel pole, lips kissed the stains where our savior’s feet were once nailed together. We had to cry out.

Oh Love! My savior’s blood I see, I taste!
Mine this deep red stain it should have been.
Wash me, cleanse me, purify me, all.
I must answer, all of me, or answer not at all!

When the weeping subsided we looked at each other hoping someone or something would give us a clue to our next move. The song eventually broke the spell and we began our pilgrimage again.

Oh Love! You have not finished here!
Look west my friends, down the hill, to the other side.
Love must be there alive, or Love is not love at all
We must find all of love, or we’ve had no love at all!
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This article has been read 1427 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
05/06/06
I had to read this several times to take it all in, and to decide how I felt about it. I've decided: it's a masterpiece. I also think that the poem could stand on its own--also a masterpiece.
Helen Paynter
05/07/06
I love this - the poem is brilliant, and I love the way you've interlaced it with the story. Only 1 small niggle - although I like the imagery of the first paragraph, I found it a little wordy and especailly the first sentence, a bit off-putting. But otherwise - brilliant indeed. One of my favourites this week.
Lynda Schultz 
05/08/06
This is something to be pondered over, soaked up and assimilated. Well done.
Joanne Malley
05/09/06
Simple and beautifully done! Enjoyed immensely. :)
dub W
05/09/06
A snippet in time, a snapshot into these characters and their journey. Worth re-reading.
Thanx.
Rita Garcia
05/10/06
Loved every word from beginning to end. I agree definitely a masterpiece.
Pat Guy
05/10/06
Wow! And double Wow! Yes! Worth rereading again, and again. Wow.
Dr. Sharon Schuetz
05/10/06
Loved it. It is well worth a second read.
Linda Watson Owen
05/10/06
Exquisite!
Marilyn Schnepp 
05/10/06
A touching tribute in poetic rhyme. Nicely done.
LINDA GERMAIN 
05/11/06
Beautifully done!