PAUL’S THORN

There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (II Corinthians 12:7-9)

Paul’s Thorn

Great deeds are not done

in a vacuum. They leave

their mark on the soul. As do

the deeds of the heart:

struggle fierce

as any battle. And

leaving its sign.

The glory of it

—God’s face, the transcendence.

A bright flame and a wholeness.

The earth seemed very

dim, afterwards. I could

have stayed always

in that bright light. Pain

brought me back. The vessel

is weak and will burst

under pressure.

So Jacob must have

felt as that gray morning

of uncertainty dawned. The

angelic struggle

had freed his soul, but not

his body.

Jacob, the ache in the thigh

slowing his progress,

giving him time to reflect.

I, this thorn ever digging,

widening its circle

of pain, finding new points

for the pressure: unending

humanness.