Once Upon a Morning Fair with Promise

Once, Upon a Morning Fair with Promise

By Elizabeth G. Honaker

Once, upon a morning fair with promise,

The Prince of Life saw Lord and Father

Shed a tear upon the stony hearts of men.

“Is it time, Father?” asked the loving Prince.

“No, My son,” said Father, but gave permission

For the longing Prince to promise Life to a

Century-old man and his wife

Under a blazing sun,

And Laughter came forth.

Then, upon an afternoon filled with sweet delight,

The Lord of Lambs heard with Father-Giver

The moans of herd and flock as bleating sheep

Yielded lambs upon the grass.

“They need Me, Father. May I go?”

“Not yet, My Son,” but gave He permission

For the Perfect Lamb to wrestle with the

Lambing-lord who strove to feed his flock

Upon the choice grass of the Promised Land.

Still, upon an evening filled with bliss,

The Prince of Power met His Father-Glory

And watched as stone and wood and gold on earth

Made much too small a temple

For the God of wind and sea and stars.

“Your House is nearly finished, Father God,”

Said Power to Majesty. “May I soon go?”
”The time is not yet,” the I AM said,

But gave permission for the Jewel of Jews

To touch the Prophet’s lips with the burning coals

Off the ever-flaming altar.

At last, upon a midnight filled with diamonds,

The Gentle Father took His Son in hand.

“Farewell, My Heart,” said Father Love

As hands compressed that Glorious Greatness

Into the smallest diamond of all.

And as He parted with His All,

The pain resulted in the largest cry

As all of Heaven heard, “It is finished!”

And the Heart of God, eternally longing, broke open,

And spilled Joy where first had run blood.

In midst of day, with Heaven’s Joy abounding

In hearts made large by Son and Father God,

The angels blow their trumpets, and eyes look up

To see a dance foretold from Time Begun.

“May I go, Father?” asks the Son

“Your Bride is ready, Son,” the Father speaks with pride

As Prince and Life, Lord and Lover,

Lamb and Prophet, King and Creator

Clasp the white-robed Bride

In Eternal Embrace.

© 2011 Elizabeth G. Honaker