Love Bade Me Stay

Love Bade Me Stay.

Love bade me welcome, but my soul drew back,
I weary, tired, unwelcome, unwanted, sat unengaged.
Love bade me welcome, and the sun shone bright in my eyes,
And I, weary, tired, mumbled through liturgical haze.

Love Bade me welcome, but uninterested was I,
worn down by constant onslaught of fractured community,
Love Bade me welcome, and though I stood and sang,
My soul, and thoughts, were far away, a distant land.

Love bade me welcome, and it was simple movement catching eye,
A simple lift in soft reverence, a kneel, a smile.
Love Bade me welcome, and softly I listened yet,
and arms lifted simple cup and promised fires quenched.

Love bade me welcome, and then he did kneel,
And I, confused, weary, elated, bowed stiff knee too,
Love Bade me welcome, and when he arose,
Welcome arms wide he spread, Bread braking,

Love bade me welcome, and I, hesitant approached,
Unworthy, uncomfortable, and knelt before beautiful Host.
Love bade me welcome, and kneeling I was fed,
Elated, refreshed, confused, Love bade me stay.

Phil Bettinson, 17.10.2012

Inspired by Love, by George Herbert