390 - Beginnings

Beginnings
By Harold B. Sanderson, Jr.

Sunshine awakens March;
Beneath, barely stirring,
Surface mud warming
Underfoot plays preludes;
And though caught is eye through
Ear of geese returning,
Windy pines, tree-like
At root-foot beginnings are.

Rites awaken Spring;
Beneath, barely flowing,
Liquid lifting life
Climbs through tiny tubes;
And though caught is ear through
Eye enchantment enacted,
Dancing nymphs, tree-like
At root-foot beginnings are.

Life lost awakens life;
Beneath, barely bearable,
A human refuse heap
Denies re-affirmations;
But though caught is heart through
Nail-torn flesh bleeding,
Losing life, tree-like
At root-foot beginnings are.

Harold B. Sanderson, Jr. is a graduate of Syracuse University and a senior at Princeton Theological Seminary. His poem was written for a class on "Symbolism and Theology." Mr. Sanderson was involved in an internship last year, serving as Assistant Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, N.Y., and also helping in the University of Syracuse Chaplaincy program.