Oaths of Allegiance

 (A lone voice whispers)

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Salute.

White candlesticks and incense

We burn 

In this
Divine silence 

Low tempo music
We play in this 

Our secret temples 

Praying to you
For sacred guidance 

Gifts of
Oaths of Allegiance 

We offer
In defiance 

Of this life's
Ever increasing violence 

Like trinkets of gold

On this

Our old
Alabaster altar stone 

Blessings of lost dreams
Shining with such gleam 

Oh, Christo
We call to you 

See us
From beyond the swirling grey smoke 

Speak to us 

Within the rise of morning sun 

And the fall of the midnight moon 

Whisper your insights into us

In morning or night 

As slow drum beats
Of seconds and minutes

Bow in defeat 

Breathe into us 

New hope 

For we are but life's many dancers 

Who calls for their Father
As children 

Praying and singing for glory

So that when you see or hear our stories 

Of the painful days 

You'll show us a new way 

So today 

We burn
Frankincense and myrrh 

Sage and sandalwood 

To be sent up
Like beacons of fidelity 

Into the fresh air 

Infused with prayers to renew 

To help us
Live again 

So Father
Look upon us with favour 

And
Savior 

Walk once more within our deep dreams 

From the hidden spaces in between

Oh, Great Father
We beseech thee 

Free us from the
Curse of Violence in Men 

With this prayer of praise

 
Amen 

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

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