Friday, September 2, 2016

On Silverwind

The sunset set no more upon the land
   In twilight dimming at the end of day,
Because the Light did glitter and expand
   To fill the sky and drive the night away.
The air just shook with mighty chords of praise
   As saints and angels sang unto the KING;
In solemn righteousness He then did gaze
   Upon His Bride: His Love for Her—His suffereing!
  
     Dear Lord, Oh! this vision of beauty:
        I thank You for the promise of Home—
     Where the streets are of gold and of rubies—
        Vivid!  so vivid a land unknown!
     
   Take me O Morning Star on Silverwind to that Place far, far away
   Where You are the Lamp like a Sun—Giver of Eternal Day!

- D. Benning


This was written sometime in 1980 or 1981 when I was still in junior college and had just found the music of a group call Silverwind.  They were very '80s sounding and were a little bit early Euro-techno even though it wasn't called that yet.  One of the singers escaped from communist controlled Bulgaria and had an incredible story to tell how he came to believe in Jesus Christ. 

Long story made short: I bought a cassette tape of their album and was fascinated by this one line on the cover under their name, Silverwind:

Take me, O Morning Star, on Silverwind to that Place far, far away.

I was in the midst of my exploring sonnets and  the "sprung rhythm" of Gerald Manley Hopkins, so I suddenly, on a whim, decided that I should incorporate that line into a full-fledged poem.  The above is the result (with slight edits here some thirty-five years later).

In case you're curious what that group sounded like, here is their "Taking the Narrow Street."






Tuesday, August 30, 2016

The Apple of His Eye

"Touch not My people here,
   raise not your hand against them;
The apple of my eye endeared—
   They are My treasured dear gem."

Treasured possession! What honored place!
   Treasure possession! O, what love!
He watches o'er with infinite grace,
   And mercy cascading down thereof.

That God is treasured by His own
   Should cause no wondering eye to question;
But that He should bring us to His throne
   Is Love's highest joy and expression.

A Mighty God delights in us
   And holds us close to His own heart;
Remember though the trials be thus,
   Nothing can ever cause us part.

- D. Benning

1 Chr 16:22
Dt 32:10;    Zech. 2:8