This is the first in a series of poems based on the Principles of the Third Order of St Francis.
Day One – The Object
Jesus said, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.’ John 12: 24-26
A single grain held in your hand. So small –
would barely feed an ant – and yet, inside
is life: you simply need to let it fall.
Buried in fertile loam as if it's died,
those spiral strands of coded life will spark
its secret growth, until a questing shoot
breaks through the crusted earth, escapes the dark
to greet the sun, ready to bear much fruit.
And if we grasp our heart's desire too tight –
afraid to let it brave another's gaze
for fear of scorn or pity, snub or spite;
even, perhaps, too shy to deal with praise –
can that bright seed bear fruit? We'll never know
unless we set it free to let it grow.
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