She learnt early on to sing in tune,
in rhythm with the beat of the world.
And in her second-hand song
she gloried in her youth,
her health, her agile thoughts,
and the man she loved.
She revelled in her self control
her measured moves, the rightness
and acceptability of the song she sang.
She ignored the tears in her at night,
the fears that chewed inside her.

In one short year it all was gone,
a terrifying stripping away
of everything known and trusted.
The shame of loss, of brokenness,
the dreadful noise of grieving,
the frantic clutching at what was gone
and could never be again.

And then..... final acceptance
of what she thought was death
of life, of joy, of very self.
No more bland and blinded days and ways,
her song and singing died,
she passed through life with empty eyes.

After a barren and silent pause
among the still and shattered pieces
she learnt her dying song had been
no song at all,
but a poor, pathetic squeak.
For now she heard the first song of all
and saw the One who sang the song.

So now she sings a new song all her own,
a gift from Him,
and the song grows slowly
sweet and clear in her
with a jealous single minded purity.
There is no room for any other song
but unending space to spare
for harmonies and new sweet ways of singing.
And the One who is gave the song,
who is the song,
sings with her.

Sometimes her harmonies come crashing down,
her singing falters, cracks,
and make pathetic cries,
those times He sings for both of them.
And sometimes, rare times,
she is only singing.
It will, one day, for ever be this way.

For the heart of whoever visits here:

'The Lord your God is with you

He is mighty to save

He will take great delight in you

He will quiet you with His love

He will rejoice over you with singing.'

Zephaniah 3:17

This is a place of abstration, a place of exploration. A place to circle the Sun at the centre of all things and to wonder over Him. To share my love and delight in Him. To get lost in the paradoxes He creates about Himself. To learn Him by heart. And maybe to meet others who share this journey into Christ.....a journey not just built on doctrine and verse but on the shock and surprise of relationship with an untamable Lion.