POEMS BY MICHAEL G. MICHAEL and KATINA MICHAEL

THE YOUNG PRIEST At that fixed moment of the Typikon The Byzantine chanting stopped. As if in slow motion, the recently restored Cathedral of the Annunciation             Emptied of her Sunday faithful. Surrounding the old sanctuary The midday sunlight sieved through             Cobalt and cherry stained glass. Little particles of dust danced Above the head of the Forerunner. And the young bewildered priest With pieces of root and stem in his mouth Was left wondering yet again How his improbable night pains Might be appeased before matins.   FOR MY SON ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BAPTISM Water, like Love can be known by many names. There are variations to affection which determine The strength of love, There are degrees to thirst which establish The length of the journey. My love you have. My thirst I pass on to you. Remain faithful to the Waters. Dr Michael G. Michael completed his studies with the Centre for early Christian Studies (ACU) and is a regular contributor to AEJT.

Glory be to the Lord  I will grow to love the Lord my God In my youth, He will take me by the hand And lead me towards Life- I will seek the ways of the Lord my God With all my might, He will guide me to open doors And show me the road of the Living- I will meditate on the words of the Lord my God In my time of despair, He will comfort me with His embrace And grant me the gift of hope- I will talk with the Lord my God In my darkest hour, He will shed light upon my troubles And offer me the virtue of patience. I will wait to be called by the Lord my God All my days, He will tell me what He wills, And I, I will learn to follow.   The Anomaly I consider that which is good Yet is so unloved by the world I consider that which nourishes the soul And is rejected and discarded I consider that which grants life And is subjected to denial I consider that which is merciful And is hated for its patience I consider that which is breath And is persecuted because it is truth I consider that which is compassionate And is wounded for its warmth And pray that the undercurrents of this time Be revealed to this passing generation.   On Understanding Grant me understanding My Lord So that I may seek Your ways With my whole heart. Grant me understanding  My Lord So that I may learn to imitate The tenderness of Your mercy. Grant me understanding My Lord So when I continually fall I persevere to rise with You. Grant me understanding My Lord So when I am persecuted I am able to take refuge in Your hope. Grant me understanding My Lord So that I can discern the coming times And prepare for Your arrival. Grant me understanding My Lord So that I may die to this world And live in Your Grace from now  Unto the ages to come. Dr Katina Michael is an Information Technology lecturer at the University of Wollongong in the Faculty of Informatics.

 

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