Peace, Be Still

Written and posted by Jean-Louis. 1/2011

http://thelightseed.blogspot.com

To read a study on Paul´s shipwreck on Malta, 
" A ship named Relations" click, Here

 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.   
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.  
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.  
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed. 
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.  
Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders. Psalm 107: 25-32.

Land, land, a chorus of sea-gulls heralded

Childlike, dolphins merrily pirouetted

Celebrating with the rhythm of whimsical waves

This propitious journey with delighted voyagers.
*********

Suddenly, a venomous storm

Escaping from an Aeolian windbag,

Stinking and green with envy

Unfurled its fury on the peaceful seascape.
*********

The cloudy canvass thickens,

The undulating liquid walls

Rise, with threats of wrath.

Are we in this deadly dance moving

Toward an unavoidable shipwreck?

*********

The increasing tempest suspends

The harmony of the Mediterranean abyss

Feeding the human fear

At the thought that their last hour

Had chimed without any recourse. 

*********

The heart in this reflex instant

When the compass swings wildly

Remembers that God exists

And humbly kneels

Asking for pardon and mercy.
*********
The time for good deeds is gone

No more “Our Fathers”, “Hail Marys”

On beads to recite, nor “Om Shantis”

The re-winded video unfolds as lightning

On the screen  of the impotent memory.

*********

The refuge of conscience is no use.

No more hypocrisy, no more subterfuge

Everything is in the scales

No more karma, no more bribes

Here come the angel executioner
Executing the sentence 

Or eternal life and its recompense.
*********

As I was quietly contemplating my lot
A soft voice, above the furious wind

Asked me the following:

“Tell me, “can you with one word, calm the waves?

Perhaps, are you the captain of your own ship?

Can your eyes pierce the dark clouds

And predict your own future?”
*********

Recognizing the divine presence and the voice

That saved my life many times before,

From war, from human violence,

From unchained elements,

I left my appeased heart

In the hands of my Savior

Who invites all to come and rest

In the secure love of his merciful heart.
*********

At last, my struggle calmed by his word

The ship arrived safe at port

Where, from the beginning

It was following its intended course.

Jean-Louis