Tendon and bone

Two poems by Jonathan Taube

Today I sit near the pond, reading

T

oday I sit near the pond, reading
My sweater cushioning bare ankles from the rock beneath.

Today the long, blowing curtain of wind pushes wisps of hair in and out of my eyes.

Near to me is the embarrassed tumble of dead leaves as old men
Their retreat softly playing out the insecurity found in the face of such new life.

In a strange effort to be one with it all
I unsnake a long strand of coarse, wound hair -
to watch it hang for the briefest of heartbeats,
suspended beneath the cloud cover,
Till it is finally absorbed into the slick surface
To float away until caught in some swirling eddy
As small, tentative drops of rain begin to fall.

I hold my hand palm up (waiting for one drop to gently find its center),
Truly marveling at the tendon stretched tightly between bone
and the subtle movement of muscle -
Astounded by this thought:
“In spring, even a simple moment can become heartbreaking.”

Today I sat upon the rock in which Moses was shielded
As the Glory of the LORD passed him by.

119

T

he Psalmist declared,
“O how I love your law!”
He found it best to meditate upon it
The guidance of your hand,
made known through your word,
brought wisdom
O Lord, that my feet would never leave your path
but only take me deeper into your heart

I have hidden your word
beneath layers of tissue and bone
divided to the marrow, sewn and patched
and still
and in quiet places
that I might not sin against you

- - - 

Listen to Taube singing his version of Abide with me

- - -

I want to know the beauty of your holiness
and those moments where I’ve tasted and seen
have left such a hunger
Yet in your Word I am filled
Deeply from the well, my thirst is satisfied
I gain understanding from your precepts
therefore, I hate every wrong path

In the light of your word
hidden places are made known
and I can see the throne room.

Other poems by Taube on theRubicon:
Soccer uniform|New Years & La Portada|ezekiel

Poet: Jonathan Taube, 22, is a full-time student living in St. Charles, Illinois, USA, where he also works at his local Salvation Army Corps’ after school program. As a musician, he has had the privilege of leading worship in many settings for many years, and plays guitar with The Singing Company. He can most often be found spending time with his beautiful fiancée, reading Star Wars books, or listening to music. He sometimes writes poetry.

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