Wind and flame

“If you will, you can become all flame.”
                                       —Abba Joseph

The wind is wild; the fire is not tame.
You mouth the prayers, recite the ancient creed.
If you will, you can become all flame.

You scour the Scriptures, making truth your aim.
You advertise your goodness, deed by deed.
The wind is wild; the fire is not tame.

You pay your tithe to stake a heavenly claim.
You aid the poor to justify your greed.
If you will, you can become all flame.

You pass the peace and play your high church game.
Yawning at tradition, you accede.
The wind is wild; the fire is not tame.

With your voice you sing and praise God’s name
Then utter words that cut and make men bleed.
If you will, you can become all flame.

Refining fire and wind want to reclaim
You. They’ll sear and burn and not recede.
The wind is wild; the fire is not tame.
But if you will, you can become all flame.