by Ken Sehested
Discard your reluctance, you saints and you sinners:
Shout vowels of praise, sing consonants of delight.
On you, Dear Beloved, have I cast my care and
entrusted my fare. Let none rejoice over my sorrow;
let none reprise my grief.
In folly I abandoned the bonds of your Providence;
fool-hearted, my feet wandered wayward astray.
Take my mourning heart and teach it to dance;
tailor my grieving gown into festival attire!
O Radiant Refrain filling lungs with acclaim,
by your Name rid the earth of rancorous disdain.
Weeping may linger, the night’s fright encroach;
yet daybreak reports hint of joy’s sure approach.