January 9, 2021

Beyond Jordan, the baptizer cried repentance,

preaching to snakes, devouring locusts,

razing the wilderness with his words,

confronting kings and drowning sins.

At his neck, the knowledge of his own humility,

the prickling of glory about to fall.

At his hands, the Word of God was buried

beneath the stream that flowed toward the Dead Sea.

Above its gurgle, John heard truth descending.

The man before him breathless still,

stunned into speech it was his cousin who spake,

Amen.