Coincidence (Matthew 21:1-11)
Each year at this time
the trumpets blow and
the crowds gather:
Traveling from North and South, East and West.
The songs they sing
linger, echoing across
all the history
written and recorded and taught.
Spring drawing nigh,
Sun bright, not burning,
A perfect day to celebrate
What will be triumph, justice. . .one day.
A heritage promised
Yet always out of reach.
But faithfulness,
Faithfulness turns the ear of the Almighty.
“Hosanna, in the highest
Heaven! Blessed,
Is the one who comes
In the name of the Lord!”
Before him,
Behind him
A joyful shout
the song of Israel, greeting the stranger
Who may be God
at your tent -
Disguised in flesh
one does not expect.
How many other men
Ride bareback on a colt
Into the joyous crowd?
How many other women?
All of them welcomed
As one coming
In the name of the Lord
All of them seated on the edge of prophecy.
But for the One
Who is Prophet
And Priest
And King
The coincidence guards
The truth
While exposing it
For all to hear, if they listen
The song fulfilled
In raptured refrain
From earth
To highest heaven.
(4.3.23)