The Song of the Redeemed

By David Roth

©30^th September, 2011

Just me.

Sitting on a pristine stretch of  sand

so stark and white when the sun peeks

from behind cottony puffs

of lead bottomed clouds

as to be composed of sugar.

An old handkerchief tied around my brow

to keep the salt laden sweat

from burning my eyes,

an ancient, well-worn Panama Jack

that’s a long way from Panama

and has long since lost its Jack

to shelter the pale, thin arch of my neck,

tattered denim shorts whose unequal legs

have as much to say about my life

as my words.

A lone pelican stares inquisitively

bobbing rhythmically in the gently lapping surf.

Black tipped, swallow-tailed gulls

sing an off key, harsh duet

as they circle my silence

waiting for a handout.

But for the gentle splash of encroaching tide,

rustling palm fronds,

and creation’s two most off-key singers,

I sit in silence pondering the what might have been

in another life, and another time.

But now.

I stand and lift my shaking palms to the sky

salt stings my eyes from tears of joy

as a soul, who days, weeks, years ago –

who really knows?

A prodigal returns

whose heart shouts the song of the redeemed

in words and melody only understood

by the blind now given sight,

the dead now brought to life

the captive now set free.

Free as the soul who one time wrote

“I once was lost, but now I’m found;

was blind, but now I see”

I, too can sing

of the freedom that severed the chains

that bound my soul to hopelessness

and let my spirit soar on eagle’s wings

with the song of a soul set free.

And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased for God

persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelation 5:9 (NIV)