Where Is Your Sting?
by Emily Gingrich
The wasp of death is buzzing on the ground,
A helpless, stingless spiral, and I see
The heavy heel of heaven coming down.
The foot that crushes snakes will set us free!
For long enough, we’ve flinched away in fright
From jarring stripes of flashing yellow shock
And lines of grief as black as empty night—
The sight of him still jolts us as we walk.
But watch the heel descend, and catch your breath,
And stand aside to wait the death of death.
Emily is a teacher who loves Jesus, trees, words, and adventures.
Photography by Kenneth Godoy
Oo Emily that is so good!! The word pictures and resulting mental images are so well done, and I love the last line… “death of death.”
♥
This is so powerful. Thank you for these words, Emily.
Beautiful! And so perfect for Easter weekend.
This was and still is, upon rereading, one of the most memorable poems I have savored in a long time. “The sight of him still jolts us as we walk” is layered with depth. This sets the power of the last two lines, which are greater than mere poetry. We need to be reminded. I have shared this link with others. Thank you!